Talking Baby: Helping your child discover language
Margaret Maclagan and Anne Buckley
(Also available as an ebook)
November 2019, first published 2016
$24.99
192pp, softback
200 x 145mm
ISBN: 978-1-98-850316-5
In this fascinating and informative book, Margaret Maclagan and Anne Buckley – two specialists in children’s language development – explain the subtle and extraordinary process in which children learn to talk and the very important role that parents and grandparents can play.
Combining a comprehensive understanding of speech development with fascinating scientific facts – did you know that babies cry with an accent? – Talking Baby offers numerous practical suggestions and real-life examples of how parents can best help their children to learn to talk. The authors also provide many ideas for ‘talking’ topics, as well as ways to use the everyday things in life to encourage children’s comprehension and speech.
Drawing on their combined 40 years’ experience, the authors also address some of the more commonly asked questions by parents such as:
- Why is it that my child can imitate a word accurately but continues to use the wrong pronunciation in his speech?
- Do second and other children talk later than first children?
- My 18-month-old child isn’t saying anything. Should I be worried?
- Is it better to use grown-up language to talk to young children than ‘baby talk’?
- How early can I start reading to my child?
- English isn’t my first language. How can I help my children to speak it well?
- My child is repeating words a lot, especially when excited – does this mean she’s stuttering?
Margaret Maclagan (PhD, Lond) has been a lecturer in child language development and language analysis for more than three decades. She taught speech-language therapists at the University of Canterbury, is an author and editor of academic books, and now writes for a general audience. She is a mother and grandmother.
Anne Buckley (MSc, Human Communication, Lond) is a former speech-language therapist and lecturer at the University of Canterbury. She has worked in medical publishing for more than a decade as a medical writer and editor, writing for both health professionals and consumers. Anne has a son.
‘Talking Baby is required reading for every parent, grandparent, educator, student or anyone working with children … I highly recommend it.’ – Elisabeth Duursma, EdD, Senior Lecturer in Early Childhood Literacy, University of Wollongong
‘I highly recommend this fabulous new book on how babies learn to talk. The authors provide fun facts and practical suggestions to parents … a truly enjoyable read!’ – Dr Anita Szakay, Lecturer in Linguistics, Macquarie University, Sydney
‘This delightful book will help parents to understand and nurture their child’s natural language development.’ – Jeremy Hornibrook, Otolaryngologist and Adjunct Professor, Department of Communication Disorders, University of Canterbury