When Moms ‘Tune In,’ Babies Show Empathy Later

Mothers who are “mind-minded,” or able to “tune in” to their baby’s thoughts and feelings by engaging in baby talk, may be able to help their child understand the thoughts of others as they grow.

"These findings show how a mother's ability to tune-in to her baby's thoughts and feelings early on helps her child to learn to empathize with the mental lives of other people," says Elizabeth Kirk. m-imagephotography/iStock

Mothers who are “mind-minded,” or able to “tune in” to their baby’s thoughts and feelings by engaging in baby talk, may be able to help their child understand the thoughts of others as they grow.

For a new study, researchers observed 40 mothers and their babies when they were 10, 12, 16, and 20 months old.

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