We squeal and gurgle and baby talk -
probably appropriately - to our babies and puppies…
And they tend to respond in kind.
And therein lies what appears to be at the
heart of this speech pattern.
We perceive and enjoy the connection that
seems to occur. http://psychcentral.com/lib/the-purpose-of-baby-talk/
Okay.
Makes sense.
But…
Once a child is past a certain age it's
no longer about connection, but rather perhaps a form of diminishment. We seem to be telegraphing a message:
"I'm in charge. You're not!"
And what are we saying when we use that
similar pattern with the elderly?
Ever notice how angry older humans can
get when they are talked to this way?
Maybe they are just reacting to that underlying message? http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1071891/Talking-old-people-like-children-cuts-years-lives-says-Yale-study.html
DANCE WITH IT! EXPERIENTIAL APPS
An opportunity to experiment with some fun ideas…
Think about how you are talking to
children and older adults…
How would you feel if your positions were
reversed and someone was talking to you like this?
If they were:
Condescending?
Loud?
Talking
down?
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