How Babies Talk: The Magic and Mystery of Language in the First Three Years of Life [Hardcover]

Roberta Michnick Golinkoff (Author), Kathy Hirsh-Pasek (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0525944559 | ISBN-13: 978-0525944553 | Publication Date: June 1, 1999 | Edition: 1

The Magic and Mystery of Language in the First Three Years of Life. Did you know that a fetus can distinguish between similar sounds? Or that a four-month-old can recognize her name? The culmination of years of research, How Babies Talk explains exactly how babies learn language in their first three years of life. This accessible guide for parents outlines the milestones babies reach and how parents can help their babies reach them. It shows what they can do to facilitate the language learning process, how to use simple at-home tests to measure their child's progress, and what warning signs might indicate a problem. Few books have explored the incredible feat of learning language in such fascinating detail, and no other authors are as well qualified to explain it. A critical contribution to the literature of parenting and child development, How Babies Talk will serve as the premier language facilitator for generations to come.

"This is a great book for parents. The evolution of infant speech is not only available to them, but now they can contribute to it, and know when to worry and when not to worry. It's an important addition to any parent's library." --T. Berry Brazelton

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

Both mothers and specialists in infant language, Golinkoff (education, Univ. of Delaware) and Hirsh-Pasek (psychology, Temple Univ.) present an in-depth study of language development during the first three years of life. Beginning with the fetus and newborn, the authors take the reader through the steps and stages of language learning. The text is interspersed with activities readers can use to assess the specific development of their own children. While stressing the individual differences of children in using language, each chapter includes indicators of delayed development to alert parents and caregivers. How Babies Talk should be useful and interesting to anyone involved with young children. Recommended for public and academic libraries.AKay L. Brodie, Chesapeake Coll., Wye Mills, MD
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

Language learning is innate, and children throughout the world achieve the same milestones in much the same order. Recent advances in theoretical models and methodological tools reveal the "language instinct" in babies, newborns, and even fetuses. Armed with an understanding of language development--from what fetuses hear to infant communication to crying, babbling, pointing, and first words to toddler vocabulary building, simple sentences, and the emergence of grammar to using language to get what is wanted--parents will be better able to encourage children and to spot when development is not proceeding normally. The book's prose is crisp, clear, concise, often humorous. The contents are unusually substantive for a handbook targeted to parents, as the bibliography of scientific citations confirms. Important scientific results and their applications to daily life are highlighted as lessons under the heading "Scientific Sleuthing Pays Off" and modified for use at home as "Try This" exercises. A key resource for parenting collections. Kathryn Carpenter

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 256 pages
• Publisher: Dutton Adult; 1 edition (June 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0525944559
• ISBN-13: 978-0525944553
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 5.9 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #943,156 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

24 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Fascinating, November 9, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How Babies Talk: The Magic and Mystery of Language in the First Three Years of Life (Hardcover)

How Babies Talk is a fascinating study that puts the latest discoveries from the Infant Language Laboratory of Temple University and the Infant Language Project at the University of Delaware into the hands of parents everywhere. Written in an easy style and organized in a usable form, this highly useful book belongs in nurseries everywhere.

In the introduction the background of our knowledge of language growth is summarized, and the reader is brought up to date on the importance of this new field of study of the development of the very young. Then the first chapter actually discusses the language experiences of the child who is still in the womb and gives suggestions on early stimulation and interaction. Next, the auditory and verbal environment of the infant is addressed. Equipped with the very latest research on what the best environment for the very young is, the new parent can enter into the child's world with confidence that what is being done will insure the best foundation the child could possibly have.

Each chapter covers a new stage of development from four months of age to thirty-six months. First the stage of development is discussed and then questions that may arise are answered. Difficulties are also addressed, such as "When should you worry?" and "It's never too early to start learning a second language." Questions that have always troubled parents are answered with up to the minute research and experience. Then, at the end of each chapter, is a feature entitled "Try This:" that will involve the parent with the child in an interactive activity.

How Babies Talk is a book that parents have needed for a very long time, and it will answer more questions than most of us have thought to ask. It belongs in every home where young children are growing up.

24 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An outstanding and credible book, May 24, 2001

By 

Michelle "amesiowa" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: How Babies Talk: The Magic and Mystery of Language in the First Three Years of Life (Paperback)

I found this book extraordinarily helpful in understanding and tracking my daugher's learning. I gained three valuable insights from this book: (1) a clearer understanding of how language acquisition occurs (2) specific examples of how I can assist my child with the language acquisition process (3) a valuable insight to how much my daughter can understand prior to her ability to communicate it.

This book brought additional enjoyment because after reading this book, I immediately noticed additional examples of my daughter's progression in language learning that I'd previously overlooked.

Additionally, the book contains a balanced mixture of research and specific examples. This combination makes it both credible and readable. I actually found it hard to put down, which is very impressive for a research based book!

I'd also highly recommend Baby Signs by Linda Acredolo

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I have been waiting for this!, August 11, 2003

By 

NYC Reader (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How Babies Talk: The Magic and Mystery of Language in the First Three Years of Life (Paperback)

I looked and looked for a book like this. I just wanted to learn how a baby manages to learn language - and why my daughter's first ten words included such irrelevant words as 'duck' and 'buckle.'

The book does an excellent job at explaining just how scientists believe a child is learning at each stage. It also explains the experiments that they use and how the conclusions are reached - fascinating.

This is NOT a book to help you guage whether or not your child needs assistance. This is NOT a book to make your baby into a super-baby. This is a book that gives you clear insight into how his mind is developing. I would buy this book for anyone with a baby.