Infants respond better to lower-pitched voices.

Infants respond better to lower-pitched voices.

• A. Sometimes
• B. True
• C. False
• D. Never

Answer: (C)

Infants are especially responsive to higher-pitched, melodic speech, a style known as infant-directed speech. This voice quality features a higher overall pitch, exaggerated intonation, slower tempo, and clearer articulation. These cues grab babies’ attention, help them segment speech, and support early language learning by making syllables and sounds more distinct. Because of this, babies tend to respond more strongly to higher-pitched voices than to lower-pitched ones. The idea that they respond better to lower-pitched voices isn’t accurate, since the engaging, cue-rich characteristics of higher-pitched caregiver speech are what typically captures infant attention and supports development.

Infants are especially responsive to higher-pitched, melodic speech, a style known as infant-directed speech. This voice quality features a higher overall pitch, exaggerated intonation, slower tempo, and clearer articulation. These cues grab babies’ attention, help them segment speech, and support early language learning by making syllables and sounds more distinct. Because of this, babies tend to respond more strongly to higher-pitched voices than to lower-pitched ones. The idea that they respond better to lower-pitched voices isn’t accurate, since the engaging, cue-rich characteristics of higher-pitched caregiver speech are what typically captures infant attention and supports development.