At a Family Gathering, Parents Are Bragging That Their 8-Month-Old

Essay

At a family gathering, parents are bragging that their 8-month-old daughter seems as if she is getting ready to talk. Her grandparents, however, insist that she has no idea that those around her are even talking and that she certainly is not preparing to speak at this young age. Help the parents and grandparents settle their disagreement by describing what is known about infants' perceptions of speech and what the 8-month-old is probably doing to prepare for speaking.