Which behavior suggests the newborn recognizes parental voices?

• A. Crying when hearing voices
• B. Turning toward the source of voice and listening
• C. Sleeping
• D. Not responding to voices

Answer: (B)

Newborns show recognition of parental voices by orienting toward the sound and listening. This active response—turning toward the source of the voice and then listening—demonstrates that the infant can discriminate the parent’s voice from others and is engaging to process familiar speech. It reflects early auditory localization and bonding readiness, which is why it’s the best indicator of voice recognition.

Crying when hearing voices is not a specific sign of recognition, as crying is a general distress cue. Sleeping is not a responsive behavior to voice, and not responding to voices indicates a lack of recognition or attention.