In developmental psychology, a specific vocalization is observed in infants, characterized by soft, repetitive vowel sounds, often described as melodic. This vocal behavior, typically occurring between two and four months of age, represents an early stage of language development, predating babbling. For example, an infant might produce sounds like “ooo” or “ahh” repeatedly when interacting with a caregiver.
This vocalization is significant because it marks the beginning of intentional communication and vocal practice crucial for later speech. It strengthens the muscles needed for speech production and encourages reciprocal interaction between the infant and caregivers. Historically, studying this vocal behavior has provided valuable insights into the stages of prelinguistic development and the innate predispositions for language acquisition.
