Even before they say their first word, babies are constantly learning from the world around them. But new research suggests that some simple interactions may be more effective than others at keeping a baby’s attention—and even supporting early cognitive growth.

A study from the University of California, Davis, published in Developmental Psychology on September 1, 2025, found that naming an object (like saying “bear”) together with spatial words (“here” or “there”) and gestures, such as pointing, keeps infants’ attention longer than using words alone.. In fact, babies at nine months focused longest—8.4 seconds on average—when parents paired labeling and spatial language with gestures.

“This study finds that the diversity and specificity of the words parents use can shape their babies’ development in their engagement with objects around them,” said Erim Kızıldere, lead author and Ph.D. student in psychology at UC Davis.

Related: 9 types of foods to fuel brain development from a pediatric dietitian

How the study worked

Researchers observed 49 North American caregivers and their 9-month-old infants during play sessions with a puzzle featuring cartoon animals: a parrot, zebra, lion, monkey, bear, and elephant. Infants wore head-mounted eye trackers to measure where they looked and for how long.

• When parents used words that were neither labels nor spatial, infants looked for 3.1 seconds.
• Labeling words alone (like “lion”) extended focus to 3.9 seconds.
• Spatial words alone (like “here” or “there”) held attention for 3.6 seconds.
• Combining labeling and spatial words increased focus to 6.1 seconds.
• Adding gestures to labeling and spatial words produced the longest attention span: 8.4 seconds.

“At nine months old, infants are just starting to develop a sense of the space around them as well as some of the words to describe it,” said Lisa Oakes, Distinguished Professor of psychology at UC Davis and senior author of the study. “Because parents used a lot of spatial language, we had the opportunity to measure how babies respond to it.”

Why it matters

These findings highlight that everyday interactions—pointing at a toy, naming it, and using simple directional words—can make a measurable difference in how babies engage with their surroundings. Longer attention spans in infancy may also support stronger spatial reasoning later in life, the researchers said.

“When infants focus their attention longer on the objects around them, those experiences can build up and may lead to better spatial reasoning later in their lives,” said Kızıldere.

In other words, parents don’t need apps or flashcards to give their babies a developmental boost—just intentional, playful communication during routine moments is enough.

Related: Why unstructured play is critical for brain development

How to make gestures part of your daily routine

You don’t need flashcards or special apps to support your baby’s brain development. Everyday routines are full of opportunities to pair words with gestures and help your little one focus longer. Here are a few simple ways to start:

• Playtime pointers: When your baby picks up a toy, name it and point. For example: “Lion here!” while guiding their attention with your hand.
• Mealtime moments: Point to foods on the tray as you label them: “Banana there,” or “Cup here.”
• Outdoor observations: On walks, gesture toward a dog, tree, or car while naming it. “Dog there!” connects the word with the object in space.
• Routine rituals: Add gestures during everyday care — “Sock here” as you put it on, or “Book there” while placing it on the shelf.
• Bath-time fun: Point to toys or water splashes: “Duck here!” or “Water there!”

These small, intentional cues don’t just grab your baby’s attention in the moment. Over time, they help build stronger connections between words, objects, and space — laying a foundation for focus and cognitive growth.

Helping your baby learn, one gesture at a time

Next time your baby reaches for a toy, try this simple interaction: say the object’s name, add a directional cue, and point. For example, “Bear here!” while pointing at the toy. It’s a small act with a surprisingly big impact, helping your infant learn about the objects and space around them while building focus and cognitive skills.

Sources:

1. UC Davis. 2025. “Babies Pay Attention Longest When Parents Combine Words and Gestures, UC Davis Study Suggests.”

When @bedheadratty shared a TikTok of her baby roaring after a dinosaur exhibit visit—captioned: “taking my perfectly healthy baby to see the dinosaurs exhibit…my baby turning into a dinosaur the next day”—it quickly struck a chord. With 1.6 million views in just four days, the video captures more than just a cute moment: it’s a fascinating peek into how babies explore their growing voices.

@bedheadratty first time parents you’ve been warned #firsttimemom #firsttimeparents #newmom #babymilestones #babyactivities ♬ ECE Marketing Airball – EC Equine Marketing

Babies roar, squeal, and babble—and it’s all good

Vocal experimentation is a natural developmental phase. According to the AAP, babies around 4–7 months start to babble, blending consonants and vowels, testing out pitch, volume, and rhythm—even before they form actual words.

This stage is a key part of vocal development:

• Coos and gurgles emerge between 2–6 months, paving the way for more complex sounds.
• From about 6 months onward, babies expand their babbling, often mimicking sounds they hear—and non-speech noises like growls and squeals also play a role in practicing vocal control.

So when a little one roars like a dinosaur, that’s powerful vocal play.

Related: Why isn’t my baby talking yet? 7 ways to encourage speech from a speech language pathologist

What makes the “baby dinosaur phase” so relatable

Early childhood experts explain that this phase supports:

• Vocal control: By around six months, babies are babbling and making a range of sounds, including gurgling and squeals—crucial practice that engages the muscles and breath control needed for speech development.

• Mimicry skills: Between 4–7 months, infants begin to “babble and mimic repetitive sounds (bah, dah)” and soon attempt to reproduce simple words—all indicating they’re learning by imitation and vocal interaction.

That shared moment hits home

Other parents have echoed the joy in the comments:

• @Taylor747474  – “Ma’am you can’t just steal pieces of the exhibit.”
• @Great Wolf Lodge  – “Dinosaurs don’t exist— the cutest newly discovered species has been spotted! ”
• @Rachel – “Dino mode activated! If anybody’s figured out how to turn it off please let me know…… we’re going on 4 1/2 years now I can say dinosaur name better that I can pronounce the majority of the English language.”

It’s a moment that reminds parents how joyful and universal these quirky early years really are.

Related: Toddler mimics mom’s vocabulary in hilarious TikTok—and it’s a masterclass in language development

How to nurture baby’s vocal play

These simple strategies can turn everyday outings into learning moments:

• Echo their roars: Responding to their sounds encourages more vocal exploration—key to early communication.
• Model animal sounds: “Roar like a dinosaur! Moo like a cow!”—it invites play and expands their vocal range.
• Talk and sing with expression: A study led by the University of Washington’s Institute for Learning & Brain Sciences (I‑LABS) confirmed that using parentese (a high-pitched, slow, sing-song speaking style) alongside conversational turns significantly boosts infants’ language skills, including vocabulary growth and social engagement.

That dinosaur roar is cute, and it’s growth

This viral clip reminds us that development doesn’t always come wrapped in a milestone chart. A baby’s roar at the library or squeal at the farm can be a sign they’re practicing voice control, imitating their world, and forming the building blocks of language.  And honestly, is there anything cuter than a baby dino?