Babies, from a very early stage of their life in the womb, can hear their mother’s voice while developing capacities of comprehending and are already learning language from her, say studies.
“I bought some books and I was reading to the baby every night. It’s a nice time you can pass with it. Reading stories or singing little songs…” Miranda Gazis, a young high school teacher who gave birth to her first child a few weeks ago, tells Neos Kosmos. “After the baby is born, if you sing the same songs as when you were pregnant, it can recognise them”.
According to the new study’s results, held by Johns Hopkins University, babies have the ability to perceive syllables of speech right from the womb of their mother, while they are reacting to her voice, expressing their contentment by kicking or just calming down to enjoy.
The study was lead by Kristin Voegtline from Johns Hopkins University. They monitored the heart rates and movements of babies while their mothers were asked to read them something aloud for two minutes.
Babies at that moment seemed to relax and feel more comfortable as their heart rates lowered and their movements slowed.
Dr George Dalamagas, GP and obstetrician at Berri medical clinic, specifies that low frequency sounds are more audible by most infants. As he tells Neos Kosmos, “according to surveys it has been proved that babies react to low frequency sounds much more, as these sounds are noticed by most infants. Some particular sounds make infants react by moving or kicking, for example”.
“Many times I’ve talked to the baby. Trying to have some contact with him”, says Dr Dalamagas, who is waiting with his wife Eugenia for their own baby, admitting “the relationship with the baby starts from the beginning of conception”.
Asked about what pushed Miranda Gazis to talk to her baby, she tells us: “I want the baby to have a good understanding of language – it’s never too early to start – and it also builds a stronger connection between me and the baby.”
But can it be possible that babies, while in the womb, begin learning language from their mothers? For years it was believed that the first understanding of the world begins in the first month after their birth. Today researchers say it is during the last trimester of pregnancy, or even before, when babies begin to develop many of their senses and learn about the world around them.
Anna Nikolouzakis gave birth to her third child, Michalis, 3 months ago. She used to talk to all her three babies when in the womb.
“I talked to them in Greek because I want them to learn my native language. As we live in Australia it is quite certain that they will speak English from school and their entourage so it’s mine and their father’s role to insist on speaking in Greek to them.”
“As a Greek Australian, I try to talk to my baby in both languages and I even asked my mother-in-law to bring me some books in Greek so that I can read him some Greek stories, familiarising him with the Greek language,” says Miranda.
Bilingual children have a great advantage to other children and that is their double background and speaking skills.
“When I and my husband were talking to our baby, it was reacting by moving or kicking. Their dad and my two children were talking to it as well during my pregnancy. They were kissing the belly and all were very happy and enthusiastic expecting the fifth member of our family,” said Anna Nikolouzakis.
One thing is certain, and it is that every mother is concerned about the baby she is going to bring in the world, but after all, maternal instinct is innate and subconsciously she reacts in the best way. Information can help to be more balanced and aware of what to expect.