Babies don't typically say "I love you" with the same understanding and intentionality as adults, but they might use the phrase when expressing positive emotions.
Based on the provided reference, babies tend to use "I love you" when they feel happy, surprised, or curious. It's their way of communicating these positive feelings before they learn to use other words. This suggests that the phrase becomes a default expression of joy for them.
How Babies Use "I Love You"
- Babies often use the phrase "I love you" as a general expression of positive emotions.
- This early use doesn't necessarily reflect the adult understanding of love, but rather a connection between happiness and those specific words.
- As they grow and are exposed to more vocabulary, babies learn to use different words to express a wider range of feelings.
The reference states: “So whenever the baby is happy or surprised or curious they tend to say I LOVE You and kids stay happy most of the time. With time, they are exposed to more emotions and vocabulary and their capacity of expressing also expands, that's when they start using other words.”
Development of Emotional Expression
As children develop, their understanding and expression of emotions become more nuanced. Here’s what happens:
- Initially, “I love you” might be their go-to phrase for general positive feelings.
- Over time, they learn to associate the phrase with the concept of love and affection.
- They start using other words and phrases to express other emotions like sadness, anger, or fear.
| Stage | Emotional Expression | Vocabulary |
|---|---|---|
| Early Infancy | "I love you" for happy, surprised, and curious feelings. | Limited, primarily "I love you". |
| Later Childhood | Broader range of emotions and more intentional expression of love. | Expanding vocabulary, more diverse ways of expression. |
In conclusion, while babies might utter “I love you,” especially when they're happy or surprised, it is not initially done with the same depth of understanding as an adult. It's a learned phrase that becomes more meaningful as their emotional and linguistic abilities develop.
