Dr. Christine Tsang

Baby-Talk

What kind of music does your baby like to listen to? Dr. Christine Tsang is looking to figure this out as she explores the early auditory development of infants at Huron University College.

Tell us about your latest research

I am exploring the relationship between auditory processes and music and language acquisition in infants. Basically, what babies like to hear! Early auditory experiences can shape the path of development from infancy to adulthood. My research focuses on normal auditory development in the first year of life and the role early experiences play in that developmental process.

How is your research relevant today?

There is great interest in this topic because the issue of development is popular, to both educators and parents. Governments, educators and parents focus on early childhood years as an important factor that has big impacts in later development. It is also interesting because we all use language and music- both of which serve important functions across all different cultures. By understanding auditory processing in infants, we can better understand how to enhance and optimize those early experiences.

How does this research affect your teaching?

I believe that the more a student is involved in their education, the more they gain from the academic experience. From 1st year to 4th year thesis students, I offer opportunities for my students to get involved in what they are learning. My undergraduate students assist in participant recruitment, data collection and preliminary data analysis. My honours 4th year thesis students play a bigger role by developing their own ideas and engaging their fellow students and me with new ideas and areas to explore. My students take an active role in contributing to their education!

Publications:

Trainor, L. J., Wu, L., & Tsang, C. D. (2004). Long-term memory for music: Infants remember tempo and timbre. Developmental Science, 7, 289-296. 


Trainor, L.J., Tsang, C.D., & Cheung, V.H.W. (2002). Preference for consonance in 2-month-old infants. Music Perception, 20, 187-194. 


Tsang, C.D., & Trainor, L.J. (2002). Spectral slope discrimination in infancy: Sensitivity to socially important timbres. Infant Behavior and Development, 25, 183-194.



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