A new study reveals that a baby’s first attempts at making sounds are directly linked to the heart’s rhythm and speech development. According to Dr. Jeremy Bourgen, a professor of psychology at the University of Houston, the initial sweet sounds and early attempts at forming words are connected to the baby’s heartbeat.
The findings, reported in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, suggest that speech development and potential early signs of speech disorders may be understood through this connection. The research highlights that the ability to produce coordinated speech in newborns is not just a cognitive process but is also closely tied to heart health.
This coordination is a neural skill that requires babies to synchronize various muscles throughout their bodies to perform different functions. This synchronization is directly influenced by fluctuations in the heart’s rhythm.
