Improving early child development with words: Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald at TEDxAtlanta

Dr. Brenda Fitzgerald is leveraging the simple practice of talking to babies and toddlers to nourish their brains and set them up for better performance in school and life.

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In the spirit of ideas worth spreading, TEDx is a program of local, self-organized events that bring people together to share a TED-like experience. At a TEDx event, TEDTalks video and live speakers combine to spark deep discussion and connection in a small group. These local, self-organized events are branded TEDx, where x = independently organized TED event. The TED Conference provides general guidance for the TEDx program, but individual TEDx events are self-organized.* (*Subject to certain rules and regulations)

[MarkJones-yurs]

Honestly, this book ‘Raising Warriors: Preparing Your Children For a Godly Life’ gave me the encouragement I needed to stay strong in raising my kids with Christian values, it’s comforting to know Im not alone on this journey

[ElisabethWykert]

As someone who talks A LOT and had a lot of great interaction with her child, my child still had a speech delay. Just a reminder for parents, every child is different. Stop putting your child’s successes and failures as a direct compliment or insult to your well-being. If you’re a good parent, you’re always striving to learn more, you’re watching videos like this, you’re finding ways to be a better influence in a child’s life, but every human life is different.

[Thatmormonchica]

My husband did not go to college yet sounds very educated and has a wider vocabulary than me (who went to university) my parents did not go to college. His parents went to university. He says his father (he graduated from an IV league school) would always read books to him and so he found a love for reading (mostly fantasy) I don’t have memories of my parents reading to me. I remember watching a lot of TV while my husband did not have cable. Long story short read to your baby/child!

[storytimebookbytes]

Interact with your child. Talk with your child. Engage with them in play and reading and exploring!

[pianoman]

I'm autistic and have reading difficulties but that didn't stop me from becoming a successful college student. I'm a good auditory learner.

[pikosetiawan]

The most compassionate.
Taught the Quran.
Create humanity,
and taught them SPEECH.
Surah Ar Rahman (1-4)

[whisperingwhiskerss]

I was a very interactive parent to my son he is in the 3rd grade and reads at a grade 6 level. I read to him as an infant I was very much concentrated on my son and I believe that helped with his success 🥰🖤

[doula]

One thing she did not discuss was how important other members of the family were to the developing baby. I lived with my daughter and her husband when both of her daughters were born (at home with a midwife by choice). We all talked and played with both girls from the moment they were born> Other family members were often present and talked and played with them also. I did housework and diapers so my daughter had more time with them to read and garden with or take walks. The important thing at an early age is not how many thousands of words you speak to them, but the interaction, eye contact, touch, and response to their needs, which includes talking outloud to them. My daughter gave away their TV and x-box so that they would not be tempted to just sit around not interacting with their children and vice-versa. They do not watch videos on the computer...they read to them. None of this has anything to do with money or education level.

[pixie]

My father worked three jobs and my mother worked two and was severely and debilitatingly mentally ill. She’s been hospitalized ALOT. I was put in LD classes as a child. It all worked out I am now a nurse and although I can say I love to read and I don’t disagree that words are important and talking to your babies is important BUT SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS EFFECTS DEVELOPMENT. Because you can be the most loving parent in the world but if you don’t have time to spend with your baby except about once or twice at night or you are so mentally ill (untreated due to cost) and you are just trying to make ends meet or keep yourself well then that effects development. POVERTY AND INCOME EFFECT DEVELOPMENT. Why does it seem like she is saying that it’s just people aren’t interacting with their kids? Sometimes people don’t have the opportunity to do as much and Georgia is one of the poorest states with high levels of poverty. Maybe if they focus on that and establishing some relief these parent’s would be able to spend more time interacting with their babies.

[stratusandco]

It's this disappointing that this video was posted 8 years ago and only has 1.2m views, its should have 3 billion views by now, this shouldn't actually be a YouTube video but content taught to each and every health institution and educational facility

[sarahsimms]

As a speech-language pathologist who works with children in a high poverty school, AMEN!!!

[crystalhalvorson]

I am a single mother of a 3year old. I am a full-time student studying for my bachelor's degree in psychology. I do not work and live off of student loans at the time. I am what Americans would consider a person living in poverty. I would love to see the study data that says that families in poverty speak fewer words to their children than professional families. I agree on the power of vocabulary, and conversation, and I believe that dialogue with children is essential to development. I talk to my son about everything happening, what we see, and what we are doing, and we learn new things together. My son and I are both very intelligent. I grew up in extreme poverty. My son at 3 is highly advanced in language. He knows how to count, and the alphabet, he knows all sight words, some Spanish words, the planets, dinosaurs, cars, and construction vehicles, his vocabulary is immaculate. This will strengthen his development and aid him in the rest of his life, tell me though what does poverty really have to do with it?

[josephsapien]

I would like to state that it's amazing to have good people to take a stand and teach our Mothers & Father's how to be parents to our children, I'm sure that you guys are very much appreciated in the eyes of many

[VanzHumbleHome]

Wow, very interesting. I am motivated to interact with my children more. I thought I was doing well but I never realized language had such a profound impact on the children's future!

[gkluggt]

My 18 month old doesn't like to sit while I read. She turns pages and looks at the pictures so I've began to ask her what she sees on the pages and ask her to find certain things. If she can't find them, I'll show her and she'll know what it is the next time we go through it. I'm hoping by the time she's 2, she will let me read to her while also looking at the pictures. Awesome talk.

[vramkrishna]

It's not language/more words. Kind interaction with a child empowers it.

[alhajijawara]

Thanks for your contribution as a professional social worker in children development growth. Language is our priority in communication.

[theproductspecialist]

Agree, I even played music and sermons to my daughter from when my wife pregnant by putting my studio headphones on my wife's tummy. And kept talking while doing things. She has grown up and got her dream job: Fashion Designer she does is prophetically while active in youth ministry going to places, singing, dancing, writing songs, designing special prophetic dresses, and playing music: drums, guitar, bass, keyboard. And for sure, she likes talking. Thank you for sharing this video.

[kerriwillis]

Needed to hear this. my daughter is 18 mo and doesn't really speak. Thought I was teaching her well but obviously need to improve. love this. thank you

[affiliatemarketing]

I bought the book and have been using it with my three-year-old. It's a great, basic guidebook that you can follow step by step. The money was well spent.