Parenting is full of moments that make us laugh, cry, and sometimes wonder, What just happened? For one mom, a seemingly ordinary playtime moment with her baby turned into a viral sensation that left the internet in stitches. Bonnie Conway’s TikTok video captured her son, Freddie, making hilarious monster-like growls that he’d learned from her playful antics.
The video, which has racked up over 3.8 million views, showcases how even the simplest interactions with our little ones can result in funny—and unforgettable—memories. But beyond the humor lies something even more remarkable: a glimpse into the fascinating ways babies communicate and bond with their parents.
How a playful growl turned into a viral parenting moment
It all started when Bonnie Conway noticed her 5-and-a-half-month-old son, Freddie, making peculiar growling noises at all hours of the day—and night. Like any curious mom, she wondered what was causing the sound.
But then, the realization hit: Freddie was imitating her! Bonnie often growled playfully right before tickling him, and Freddie had picked up on the sound, mimicking it with perfect comedic timing.
To share the hilarity, Bonnie posted a montage of Freddie’s growls on TikTok with the caption: “I’ve created a monster, literally!!” The video resonated with parents everywhere, gaining over 567,000 likes and over a thousand comments from others sharing their own baby-noise stories.
Why do babies mimic sounds?
Imitation is one of the most important building blocks of early language and social development. Babies are naturally wired to observe, process, and replicate the sounds and movements they see around them, especially those of their parents or caregivers. This behavior is not just adorable—it’s a key way that infants learn to communicate and connect with others.
A study published in the Journal of the Acoustical Society of America found that infants as young as 12 weeks old can imitate vowel sounds. This early mimicry highlights how attuned babies are to the voices they hear, even before they can form words of their own. Through auditory-articulatory mapping, infants use mimicry to test how their vocalizations align with the sounds they hear, refining their understanding of Communication. Playful interactions like growling, cooing, or babbling not only make them giggle but also lay the foundation for understanding the rhythm and tone of language.
Another research published by the University of Essex also shows that playful imitation strengthens the bond between parents and babies. These interactions create a feedback loop that boosts an infant’s confidence in experimenting with sounds, a critical step in their progression from cooing to babbling and eventually forming words. When a parent mimics their baby’s noises or vice versa, it creates a feedback loop that boosts their baby’s confidence in experimenting with sounds. These exchanges are often a precursor to more complex communication skills like forming words and sentences.
Related: It’s science: Baby talk speeds up your child’s language development
Parenting humor: The universal language
In Bonnie’s viral video, Freddie’s monster growls inspired fellow parents to share their own baby-noise stories.
Commenters shared,
- @tynebishop shared, “My daughter roars at people when we go grocery shopping it’s very cute but very like girl pls stop”
- @Francia commented “My 8 month old does this and I think it’s cause I read him animal books and making roar noises for the bears and tigers etc ”
- @DayDay remarked “my girl started panting one day, we were so worried, or thought she was thirsty… she just started copying the dog ”
These quirky, relatable experiences bond parents, turning everyday moments into shared laughter. Whether it’s mimicking animal sounds or echoing a parent’s funny noises, these moments highlight the universal joy of parenting.
After all, every parent has been there—wondering what’s going on in their little one’s mind and laughing together at the strange things they can do. These playful interactions don’t just provide comic relief—they foster emotional connections, create cherished memories, and support a baby’s social and language development.
Related: This is how “baby talk” affects little ones learning two languages
The science of baby communication
Long before their first words, babies are master communicators, relying on sounds, gestures, and facial expressions to connect with the world around them. One of the most important ways they learn to communicate is through mimicry, which plays a pivotal role in language development.
As babies grow, play becomes their primary tool for learning, and it’s in these playful exchanges that communication flourishes. Whether it’s playing peek-a-boo, making animal noises, or repeating sounds, babies experiment with their voices and actions, gaining confidence in their ability to express themselves. These playful interactions also provide an opportunity for parents to teach new words, gestures, and sounds in a fun, engaging way.
In fact, a study found that babies who engage in more imitation-based play show stronger language development later on. This highlights the importance of play in shaping how babies understand and use language to communicate.
Related: 4 ways to support challenging behavior in kids, from a Speech Language Pathologist
How parents can support their baby’s language development
While imitation and playful interactions are crucial for language development, parents can take a proactive role in fostering these skills by creating an environment rich in communication. Here are a few simple and effective ways to support your baby’s language growth:
- Talk to your baby often
Even if your baby can’t respond with words yet, talking to them frequently helps build their understanding of language. Narrate your day, describe what you’re doing, or simply name objects as you go about your Routine. This helps babies learn new words and understand the connection between sounds and meanings. - Engage in face-to-face interactions
Babies are highly responsive to facial expressions and body language. By engaging in face-to-face communication, such as making eye contact or mimicking their sounds, you give your baby the opportunity to observe and learn how communication works. Take advantage of moments like diaper changes to make eye contact, smile, and mimic your baby’s sounds. When reading, face your baby so they can see both your expressions and the book. These small adjustments boost connection and support communication development. This back-and-forth Interaction is essential for developing social and language skills. - Use baby talk—it’s actually helpful!
While it might feel a bit silly, using a high-pitched voice or exaggerated expressions (often called “parentese”) helps babies tune into important aspects of speech, such as tone, rhythm, and pitch. Studies have shown that babies are more likely to pay attention to this type of speech, which helps them pick up language faster. - Introduce simple sign language
Even before they can speak, many babies can learn simple signs to communicate basic needs like “more,” “all done,” or “milk.” This not only reduces frustration but also helps babies understand the concept of communication and increases their vocabulary. - Read to your baby
Reading is one of the most effective ways to support language development. Choose colorful books with simple, repetitive text. Point to the pictures and say the words aloud. The more words your baby is exposed to, the quicker they’ll pick up language. - Play interactive games
Games like peek-a-boo, pat-a-cake, or singing songs that involve hand motions help babies understand social cues and turn-taking, important aspects of language. These interactions teach babies how to communicate in a fun, engaging way while also reinforcing language learning. - Encourage Exploration and imitation
Finally, allow your baby the space to explore sounds, words, and actions. Whether it’s babbling, growling like a monster, or repeating animal sounds, encourage them to mimic what they hear and see. Imitation strengthens the connection between sound and meaning, helping babies grasp language concepts faster.
By providing a language-rich environment full of opportunities to imitate, explore, and communicate, you’re giving your baby the best foundation for strong language development.
Related: The building blocks babies need for language development
The bottom line
From monster growls to playful panting, baby mimicry is more than just adorable—it’s a key part of their communication development. These quirky moments not only bond parents and babies but also lay the foundation for stronger language skills as they grow. So, the next time your little one surprises you with a funny sound, remember: it’s all part of their journey to becoming a master communicator!
Sources:
- Infants’ early imitation of vowel sounds. PMC. 2013. Infant vocalizations in response to speech: Vocal imitation and developmental change
- Imitative learning in early development. University of Essex. 2017 The importance of face-to-face play for infants’ social development – Research Repository
- Examining language learning through imitation. Allied Academies. 2019. Early imitation and language learning.