– According to a study by the Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I-LABS) at the University of Washington (UW), during the early years, social interaction is more efficient than watching television for the good development of a baby’s social and language skills. In particular, UW research has shown for the first time that an early social behavior – called “gaze shifting” – is linked to the ability of learning new language sounds.

– “Gaze shifting” is the action of an infant making eye contact with a person and then looking at the same object that the other person is looking at. This kind of social engagement improves language learning. “These moments of shared visual attention develop as babies interact with their parents, and they change the baby’s brain,” said Rechele Brooks, research assistant professor and co-author of the study.

Image: Cherie and Baby / I-LABS

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