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Why do kids when speaking or asking for something speak in a wierd sing-song voice?

For example, when trying to get attention, crying "mummy" with the tone getting higher at the end, then after a brief pause "mummy" again with a lower tone at the end?

and also, why do kids when stroppy put an extra "a", at the end of every word? For example... Nooo-a! Any ideas?

16 Answers

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  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago
    Favorite Answer

    its how young children learn to speak.

    kids learn to speak but putting two sounds togther to make a word.

    mum-e (mummy) dad-e (daddy) ju-ss(juice)

    they learn to speak, at first by putting two sliables togther, if a word like "no" doesnt have one they add one two it to make it easyer for themselves, so you end up with "nooo-a"

    thats how they learn to speak, and its easyer to say this things with a bit of rhyme and beat to them. which sometimes comes across as singing.

    tv shows like barney, the teletubbys they sing the words to the kids which is why the kids speak like that its how they learn to pronouce words, and why singing to your kids is a good way to improve speach in toddlers

  • 1 decade ago

    Every child, in the womb, gets a book to read about how to manipulate parents through cuteness, weedling, whining, and so on. This is part of it. Children in all cultures and all languages do the same thing in the same way.

    Look at adults. When we talk with infants and toddlers, our voices automatically go up in pitch. This is universal in humans. It's part of our makeup and you've noticed what billions of other parents have noticed. Kids are masters of getting what they want through whatever means works. And us parents always fall for it because children are young, have boundless energy, and know that if they nag long enough we'll give in beause we're tired and old and will die before them.

  • 1 decade ago

    What is "stroopy"?

    I'm not sure but when I was pregnant I read that a lot of the things we do and say as reaction was instilled in us for a reason. Example: We say SHHHH to comfort a crying baby. And SHHHH is a sound they hear in the womb, that is why it works. So maybe it has something to do with that. I hope that helped.

  • Gail H
    Lv 4
    1 decade ago

    I think it's because when they're babies and young toddlers, adults have a habit of speaking to them in a weird sing-song baby talk way (I know I'm guilty of doing it sometimes). Maybe they're just copying ?!?

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  • 1 decade ago

    Probably because when they were babies we all spoke to them in sing song voices ... so they are still in a learning phase, and eventually work it out for themselves. By singing a request they think you will be happy!!!

  • 1 decade ago

    they are all born drama queens. when my boy used to throw a paddy id say oh look , here comes the royal shakespeare again ..lol

  • Anonymous
    1 decade ago

    now you were a child at one time, and I suppose you did the same thing, but in my experience kids do that when they are being ignored all the time.

  • 1 decade ago

    Because they are trying to mimic Ray in the X Factor ! !

  • 1 decade ago

    They do this because they know that eventually that most parents will be worn down and give them what they want.

  • 1 decade ago

    manipulation they know its cute and get things they want,

    it built in to every child and when i here my name in sing song i know they want something from me.

    my sister still does it and shes in her 20s

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