Parentese has three primary characteristics. First, it has a higher overall pitch, approximately an octave higher than normal adult speech. Second, it features curvy intonation contours, with higher highs and lower lows, conveying excitement and happiness. Third, it has a slower tempo, with pauses between phrases to allow the baby time to engage in the interaction. This speaking style is crucial for enhancing a baby’s speech and language skills, as babies are instinctively drawn to parentese, as if wired to respond.