At what time does the human brain start preparing for language learning tasks?

The human brain begins preparing for language learning tasks right from birth. Research indicates that infants have an extraordinary capacity to process sounds and patterns of speech even in their first days and weeks of life. This early exposure enables them to distinguish between different phonemes, which are the distinct units of sound in a language.

During the early months, babies are particularly attuned to the rhythm and melody of language, picking up on the sounds and intonation patterns of the languages spoken around them. This sets the foundation for later language acquisition as they start to experiment with babbling, eventually leading to the formation of words and sentences. Thus, the critical period for starting language development efforts begins at birth, making it crucial for caregivers and educators to engage with infants through talking, reading, and singing from the very beginning.