Talk to Me, Baby!: How You Can Support Young Children's Language Development

by Betty Bardige Ed.D.

With Thirty Million Words and other early language initiatives making headlines, the message is clear: Talking to young children matters. But how you talk to children makes a big difference—and this friendly, down-to-earth guidebook shows you how to engage with kids in ways that directly support their language skills and overall development.

Developed by celebrated early education expert Betty Bardige, the second edition of this warm and wise book takes you on a fascinating tour through six stages in a child's language development—starting with baby babbles and ending with kindergarten literacy skills. You'll get critical new research and updates in every chapter, plus an invaluable toolbox of downloadable resources that help you put the strategies into practice. A must-have for all early childhood professionals and parents, this book is your guide to playful, engaging talk that supercharges young minds and sets the stage for school success.

DISCOVER HOW TO


learn the language of pretend play and storytelling
include children in conversations—even when they're too young to talk
respond effectively to the questions children ask and the stories they tell
boost language skills with fun games and activities that build on children's natural curiosity
select playful, age-appropriate books, songs, and poems to share and enjoy together
engage children of diverse backgrounds and temperaments
explore the language challenges children might encounter and how to help them
help bilingual children develop skills in both languages
create language-rich communities where children's literacy skills flourish

WHAT'S NEW: Strategies based on up-to-date research; expanded focus on developing toddlers' language skills; and new emphasis on supporting children from low-income families. You'll also get a practical collection of downloadable resources: updated study guides for each chapter and handouts in English and Spanish.

Includes downloadable, printable handouts in English and Spanish:


The Power of Play Talk
Baby Babbles
First Words, First Stories
Off Like a Rocket
What Will They Think of Next?
From Language to Literacy

Genres: Parenting, Nonfiction

336 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2009

Reviews

[Nicoleta]

Positive discipline for toddlers
Primele povesti si cum nu sunt ele bagate in seama de obicei. Umorul la copiii mici.
Punchinella.
Circles of communication.
Toddlers logic, dinozaurii la zoo.
Pretend play and talking.
Fricile dispar mai repede cand pot fi povestite.
Poezie cum sa ai un tantrum.
Intrebarile copiilor sunt daruri.
Dialoguri reale in loc de terminarea tuturor activitatilor in gradinite.
Litere si concepte de matematica la 2 ani.
Aram sam sam
Reggio model and 100 languages
Pretend play. Fight magic with magic, make a play of it, imaginatia sa zburde
More is caught than taught. de exemplu, injuraturile
Copiii spun lucruri trasnite
Patterns, sequencing, puzzles, sorting, connections
La 4 ani e mai bine ca copilul sa isi urmareasca interesele lui si sa fie in gupuri mici decat sa faca activitati educationale in grupuri mari.
Problem solving. Cum te vezi in lingura
Idei de activitati pentru prescolari, arta, colectii, constructii, explorare natura, meserii, teatru de papusi, covorul fermecat, gatit, curcubee, harti, numarat.
Povestile, intrebarile si discutiile pe seama lor, punerea in scena, comparatii cu ceva real, punerea in pactica a ideilor din ele.
Amintirile proprii sunt mai tarzii la copiii crescuti in Asia sau in chibuturi, acolo unde societatile sunt mai putin individualiste.
Rezolvarea conflictelor impreuna cu copiii, in loc de gasirea rapida a solutiilor de catre adulti.
Parintii nu ar trebui sa munceasca asa de mult, copiii pot ajuta deseori.
Emergent readers.
Spaniola si germana sunt date ca limbi in care fiecare litera reprezinta un singur sunet, spre deosebire de franceza si engleza.
La 5-6 ani la gradinita se asteapta ca in State copiii sa poata citi cuvinte simple.
Intrebari despre sentimente, cum ar fi, cum si ce a reusit sa invete, mai putin interogatorii.
Intelegera glumelor,a multiplelor sensuri si a jocurilor de cuvinte spre 6 ani.
Copiii de 3 ani vor spune ca un cuvant lung e sarpe.
Twister tongues si ghicitori care rimeaza.
Ocazii de a scrie. Cunoasterea literelor la intrarea in scoala, un test mai bun decat altele despre cat de pregatit e copilul pentru scoala.
Idei de jocuri cu cuvinte, litere, silabe. Spanzuratoarea, scavenger hunt, crearea de povesti, anagrame, crearea de povesti, glume si ghicitori, crearea de board games, crearea de carti, teatru de papusi, unbirthday party, tall tales, vizite la librarie, ghicirea povestii dupa coperta.
Carti pentru incepatorii in ale cititului si continuarea cititului de adulti.
Homeschooling poate fi facut in paralel cu public/private schooling.
Mai putine probleme mentale in locurile unde parintii au cu cine lasa copilul cand trebuie sa plece de acasa.
Invatamantul prescolar e deseori neglijat. Prea multi copii, prea putin timp de vorbit cu fiecare.
Ajutarea parintilor si a educatorilor pentru a ajuta copiii.
Learning happens everywhere.
Family library center.
Parents can't do it alone. Every child matters.

[Tracey · Rating 4 out of 5]

parenting/literacy &education (c2009). Nice review (with sources!) of early literacy research (starting from birth) and tons of tips (and quite a few adaptable rhymes) to integrate into storytimes and parent patter.

babysigns helps toddlers learn more vocal words, faster (p.46): Goodwyn, S.W., Acredolo, L.P., & Brown, C. (2000). Impact of symbolic gesturing on early language development. Journal of Nonverbal Behavior, 24, 81-103.

Children who know a lot of nursery rhymes, have good verbal memories, and are quick to supply a strongly cued missing rhyme when a reader pauses... have a leg up on reading (p. 192): Adams, M.J. (1990). Beginning to read: Thinking and learning about print. Cambridge, MA: The MIT Press.

[Kelsey · Rating 3 out of 5]

A book better suited for early childhood teachers and librarians than parents due to the amount of information on one specific topic. A lot of great quotes, research, and support for TALKING to children that I will be able to use in my library programs.

[Heidi · Rating 2 out of 5]

Some interesting points, but a very tedious read while the "young child" I'm supposed to be helping develop language is running around.