Connecting Through Talk

Nurturing Children’s Development With Language

Authors: David K. Dickinson Ed.D., Ann B. Morse M.Ed.
This book will provide practical guidance for fostering foundational language skill development in every young child.

Contains Companion Materials

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How do responsive adult–child interactions influence early language development? How do a child's language skills develop in tandem with social-emotional development, executive function, and literacy? What are effective ways to help parents support their child's development?
Uncover the answers to these questions in this fascinating book, which draws on current research to examine connections between language, social-emotional, and literacy development and profiles effective programs that support this development.

You'll begin with a research-based examination of multiple facets of early childhood development and examine how each one is linked to language development. Explore critical topics such as:

• How the brain develops in the first years of life
• Why parent–child attachment is fundamental to early development
• How executive function skills affect academic achievement and social success
• What responsive and language-rich parent–child exchanges look like and how they support multiple developmental areas
• How children begin to understand symbols, establish joint attention, and develop a theory of mind
• How children learn the building blocks of language and literacy, from phonology to pragmatics
• What role socioeconomic factors play in early development and intervention
• Which guiding principles professionals should follow for effective intervention
• Which economic arguments support early development

Building on this foundational knowledge, the book gives you snapshots of more than a dozen programs that support language and literacy development by coaching parents and providing books for young children. You'll learn how these programs promote thoughtful, responsive adult–child interactions and expand children's access to books, and you'll get brief summaries of the research that demonstrates the success of each program.

Essential reading for researchers, administrators, and educators, this synthesis of science and practical guidance will help you foster foundational language skills and nurture the healthy development of every young child.

SEE IT IN ACTION! Videos demonstrate responsive caregiver–child interactions and show how they support language and literacy development.

Reviews

Amy Butler, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine - August 5, 2019
"This book is an excellent resource for any research paper on a related subject, but also useful as educating those in programming positions. We see quotes on social media about the importance of reading to children but Connecting Through Talk breaks down the science of it and concludes that language and relationship, something fostered by reading together, are crucial to development and ultimately success."

James Cox, Editor-in-Chief, Midwest Book Review - June 17, 2019
"Impressively researched, exceptionally well written, deftly organized and presented, Connecting Through Talk: Nurturing Children's Development With Language is a seminal body of meticulous scholarship."

Roberta Golinkoff, Ph.D., Unidel H. Rodney Sharp Professor, University of Delaware - December 18, 2018
"Bravo! At last a book that captures the range of factors that contribute to early literacy! Passionate about helping children learn to read from the inception of their careers, these authors understand the crucial role that language development plays..."

Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, Ph.D., Temple University - December 18, 2018
"Written by leading scholars, Connecting Through Talk packages the latest research in language development for practitioners..."

Timothy Shanahan, Ph.D., Distinguished Professor Emeritus, University of Illinois at Chicago - December 18, 2018
"How would one gain a deep and coherent understanding of the rich body of research on children's early language development that has accumulated over the past half century? The right answer is, 'Read Dickinson and Morse's Connecting Through Talk..."

Adriana Bus, Ph.D., University of Amsterdam, the Netherlands - December 18, 2018
"I read this wonderful book by David Dickinson and Ann Morse with great pleasure..."

Lesley Morrow, Ph.D., Director of the Center for Literacy Development, Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - December 18, 2018
"Congratulations to the authors on a timely and important book about their vast experience with language development..."

Betty Bardige, Ed.D., Author of Talk to Me, Baby! - December 18, 2018
"Weaving together intriguing research in social, cognitive, and brain development, this book delivers a powerful message; Rich, complex language—and the steady diet of responsive interactions in infancy and early childhood that supports its development..."

Joshua Sparrow, MD, Harvard Medical School - December 18, 2018
"This is an eloquent synthesis of the research on early language and literacy development..."

James Gee, Ph.D., Mary Lou Fulton Presidential Professor of Literacy Studies, Arizona State University - December 18, 2018
" Connecting Through Talk: Nurturing Children's Development with Language is a definitive book on literacy, language development, and child development..."

Read an excerpt
Chapter One of Connecting Through Talk: Nurturing Children's Development With Language

Read the press release
New Book Highlights Model Programs that Support Early Literacy