psychologist Anne Fernald of Stanford's Center
for Infant Studies has identified melodies that are
embedded within mothers' speech

each melody has a particular meaning that the
mother wants to convey to her baby

these melodies are universal in that they are
understood by babies around the world, regardless
of culture and language

the melodies convey either praise, prohibition,
comfort or a call for attention

"we all know these songs", says Robert Krulwich
of WNYC's Radio Lab

check out the video below to hear these melodies

the video’s soundtrack is an excerpt from WNYC's
Radio Lab