Coos refer to vowel-like sounds that young infants repeat over and over during periods of contentment.
In the psychology context, "coos" refer to the soft sounds made by infants before they develop language. These sounds are a form of communication with caregivers and may include vowel-like sounds, such as "oo" and "ah," as well as consonant-like sounds, such as "mm" and "ng."
Coos are an important part of early language development, as they represent the first attempts by infants to communicate with others. Caregivers often respond to coos with verbal and nonverbal cues, reinforcing the infant's communication attempts and helping to establish the foundation for future language skills.
Here are some examples of coos:
- A baby making soft "ooh" and "ahh" sounds while looking at their caregiver
- A baby making repeated "mm" or "ng" sounds while playing with a toy
- A baby making soft cooing sounds while being held and comforted by their caregiver
It is important to note that while coos are a normal part of infant development, delayed or absent cooing may be a sign of a language or developmental delay and should be evaluated by a healthcare provider.