Abstract
This study compared the infant-directed behavior and speech of female university students who were experienced (n=16) vs. inexperienced (n=14) with babies. Speech and physical behavior directed at a four month-old baby and at an adult were recorded and analyzed. Experienced students displayed a larger variety of infant-directed behavior, and were better able to keep the infant from fussing, compared with inexperienced students. The experienced students also used a larger variety of words that are commonly used by mothers, e.g., imitating the baby's voice and talking for the baby. In addition, infant-directed speech was characterized by significantly higher frequency sounds and was slower, compared to adult-directed speech. These results suggest that students' interactions with babies (behavior, words, and speech) depend on their past experiences.
