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Table of Contents
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: General Ways to Enhance Language Development
The Basics
How to Be a Good Language Model
Child-Directed Speech
How Do Babies Communicate Before Using Words?
Techniques to Help your Baby Want to Communicate
Good Verbal Techniques to Help Your Child’s Language Development
When Are Speech Sounds Learned?
Chapter 2: Significant Influences on Language Development
Gender
Birth Order
Multiple Births
Parents
Childcare
TV
Computers
Chapter 3: Common Concerns About Language Development
Ear Infections
Hearing Impairment
Auditory Processing Problems
Pacifiers
Sippy Cups
Oral Motor Development
Tongue-Tie
Common Speech Problems
Why Children Experience Language Delays
Developmental Delays
Seeking Professional Help
Chapter 4: Language Development Facts and Warning Signs
Birth to Age 2 Months
Age 3 to 4 Months
Age 5 to 6 Months
Age 7 to 8 Months
Age 9 to 10 Months
Age 11 to 12 Months
Age 13 to 14 Months
Age 15 to 18 Months
Age 19 to 24 Months
Age Two to Three Years
Age Three to Four Years
Age Five to Six Years
Age Six to Seven Years
One Last Thought on Normal Language Development
Chapter 5: Enhancing Your Child’s Language Skills at Each Stage
Birth to Age 2 Months
Age 3 to 4 Months
Age 5 to 6 Months
Age 7 to 8 Months
Age 9 to 10 Months
Age 11 to 12 Months
Age 13 to 14 Months
Age 15 to 18 Months
Age 19 to 24 Months
Age Two to Three Years
Age Three to Four Years
Age Five to Six Years
Age Six to Seven Years
Chapter 6: Nurturing Pre-Literacy Skills
Beyond the ABCs
The Parent’s Role
Developing Pre-Literacy Skills(Phonological Awareness)
When Is My Child Ready to Read?
Tips for Successful Early Reading Attempts
An Overview of Whole Language Methods Versus Phonics
Literacy Performance Levels
What to Do If You Suspect Your Child Has a Reading Problem
A Few Words on Writing and Spelling Skills
One Last Word on Language and Literacy
Chapter 7: Gestural Communication (Sign Language)
Why Sign with My Child Who Hears Perfectly Well?
Will Sign Language Delay Spoken Language?
Where Do You Start?
Steps for Successful Signing
Go with the Flow
Transition to Verbal Communication
One Last Word on Signing
Chapter 8: Bilingualism and Second-Language Learning
Why Should My Child Learn a Second Language?
How Do Children Become Bilingual?
Introducing a Second Language
Providing Rich Bilingual Experiences
Trilingualism
When Your Child Is Adopted Internationally
ESL and Bilingual Education
How Varying Cultures Affect Language
Bilingual Testing and Intervention for Speech and Language Delays
One Last Word on Bilingualism and Second-Language Learning
Chapter 9: Using Musical Activities and Imaginary Play to Enhance Language Skills
What’s the Magic Behind Music and Learning?
Music, Babies, and Development
Singing, Music Play, and Musical Instruments for Toddlers and Preschoolers
Music’s Role in Reading Readiness
The Importance of Imaginary Play
One Last Word in Musical Activities and Imaginary Play
Afterword
Appendixes
Appendix A: Little Language Song Lyrics
Appendix B: Organizations and Associations for Additional Information
Appendix C: Recommended Materials, Books, and On-Line Resources
Notes
Index
"Ms. Dyer combines research with practical application in a "one-stop shopping" journey for pro-active parents who want cutting-edge information on their children's development." Joseph Garcia, ED.D.
"Laura Dyer should 'kiss her brain!' This book is AWESOME !! From the title, to the organization, to the research, to the practical ideas...I was enthralled as if it were a best-seller! I started looking at it on the plane thinking, 'I'll just skim through this!' I didn't want to put it down or miss a word! Laura Dyer is on the 'cutting edge' of the brain research and literacy research. This book is hopeful and positive! It would support (not frighten) a parent who is concerned about their child's language development. The breadth and depth of the manuscript is impressive. The book is based on the latest theory and research, but it is presented in a practical, meaningful, and useful dialogue. The author reflects the value of the simple interactions and experiences. Mastercard and computers will never replace talking, reading, and singing with children! This is the most exciting and powerful book I have read for parents and early childhood educators in a long time. I recommend it whole-heartedly!" Dr. Jean Feldman
"Laura Dyer provides parents and early childhood educators/therapist with the handbook on childrens' speech and language development." Lora F. Heller, MS, MT-BC, Founding Director of Baby Fingers, LLC,NYC. November, 2003."
"This book provides comprehensive information and entertaining, easy-to-use
activities to enhance early communication and language development with
young children from birth - elementary years. Laura's suggestions are
easily applied to gifted children, children adopted from other countries, as
well as children with special needs. It's a "must-have" resource for all
parents, teachers & caregivers!"
Debbie Lesser, CI & CT
Little Signers, Inc.
Most of us don't give a lot of thought to teaching our child how to talk. It happens naturally in the give and take interaction of life. New words are learned; proper grammar is mastered as our children imitate our speech. But how do we know if our child is developmentally on target in their language development? Laura Dyer has searched the latest academic research to bring us this comprehensive guidebook on language development. There truly is something here for every parent. The first section details ways to enhance language development and includes everything from helping your baby to communicate to being a good language model. Ms. Dyer next tackles the influences on language development and has a lot to teach us about gender, birth order, TV and computers, among other things. In Chapter three, she tackles some common concerns about language development, ranging from ear infections to auditory processing problems. Next, she gives us the milestones to look for at each age, along with activities to enhance these language skills, even pre-literacy skills! In Chapter seven, she makes a case for teaching your child sign language, even when they are not hearing-impaired. Next, she addresses bilingualism and second-language learning and rounds out the book with a fun chapter on using musical activities and imaginative play to enhance language skills. A jam-packed resource section completes this comprehensive resource. This is a book for every parent! --Product Review by: Christine Field, The Old Schoolhouse Magazine
"Dyer's research and field experience has led her to put together a wonderfully concise and factual guide that's easy to navigate. Look Who's Talking is a strong addition to any new parent's library." Ashley Driggs, Senior Editor, Nashville Parent Magazine November, 2003
"This book is a tremendous reference manual for new parents and health care providers alike." Sarah Berry, MD.
"Laura Dyer's book, Look Who's Talking!: How to Enhance Your Child's Language Skills Starting at Birth, provides parents with a practical way to enhance their children's language abilities. She addresses many normal development milestones as well as special needs situations including daycare, chronic ear infections, bilingual households and many more. It is a great reference for any parent wanting to improve communications with their child." Lisa Young, MD.
"Laura Dyer has many excellent and easy to understand methods on how to enhance language skills. As a parent of small children, Laura's book helped me to outline some new ideas for language development that I could use with my children." Peggy Daniels
"Look Who’s Talking! Takes the reader on an incredible and fascinating journey of development. This book won’t just sit on your bookshelf unread, but will become familiar and dog-eared as you refer to it again and again for the best advice currently available. In fact, it really is the latest childcare ‘bible’! Every parent, child career and health professional should have one!"
Adèle Marshall, founder of Signing Babes, UK
"Laura Dyer takes the puzzle pieces of language and literacy and puts them together in an easy-to-read format to help parents and teachers facilitate children's language skills."
Lisa Hoover
"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Laura Dyer’s book. As a parent of small
children and an elementary school teacher, I found this book to be a
valuable resource for anyone who has or works with small children. The
information is very practical and presented in a way that’s easy to read
and understand. Laura addresses what a vital role parents play in the
language development of their children. She gives wonderful hands-on
activities, reading suggestions, musical activities, and imaginary play
activities that parents can use to enhance their children’s language
skills and development. She addresses things that can influence
language development such as daycare and television viewing and she
includes useful information about language development that is broken
down in stages from ages birth to age seven. I would highly recommend
this book!" Leatha Ogden
"Laura's book is wonderful. It should be included with the owner's manual as each child is born." Edward Chapman
Look Who's Talking! : How to Enhance your Child's Language Development Starting at Birth
by Laura Dyer, M.C.D., CCC-SLP
Meadowbrook Press, 2004
This book is a treasure--a definite "must-have" for every parent's bookshelf!
Speech and Language pathologist, Laura Dyer has written the ultimate book on how children acquire speech and language skills during the first seven years of life. The book is comprehensive in its scope, yet is very readable and practical as well.
Are you mystified about how babies learn to talk?
Do you wonder how to tell if a child is experiencing developmental lags, or speech difficulties?
Maybe you want to know the ideal time to introduce a foreign language to a child, or how to teach
English to a child adopted from another country.
Should you use sign language to improve communication with your child, even if they aren't hearing impaired?
How can a parent or caregiver ready a child for the important task of learning to read?
In crystal clear fashion, Laura Dyer explains all that and more!
Page after page is packed with practical advice, anecdotes, resources, and sidebars filled with the easy to understand nuggets of information any parent can understand and apply.
No technical, head-scratching data. No confusing jargon. No 64 letter words that leave you scrambling for a dictionary!
If you want a book that takes you step by step through the stages of speech and language learning in children, this is the book for you!
Reviewed by Irene Helen Zundel, November, 2004. Visit her website at:http://www.greenepa.net/~artwhiz/lang_review.htm.
Book Review
Title: Look Who's Talking!
Author: Laura Dyer, M.C.D., CCC-SLP
Publisher: Meadowbrook Press
ISBN: 0-88166-465-0
Reviewed By: Frank Fogg
Review Date: November, 2003
Rating: 4 flags
In Look Who's Talking!, Laura Dyer explores the ways that children acquire language skills and the methods parents can use to assist them. The content covers normal speech development and the diagnosis and treatment of speech disorders.
From an early age, babies begin communicating by crying and gestures, then later by copying speech patterns from their siblings, peers and parents. While each child has their own schedule, certain milestones should be expected along the path toward gaining speech. Laura Dyer identifies these checkpoints at each stage of development, and points out the warning signs that can indicate that the child is not progressing satisfactorily. From birth through primary school, each stage of speech development is discussed, including common "problems" that are really just part of the learning process. She also highlights the most common speech impediments such as lisping, substitution, consonant and vowel problems, and stuttering and how they might be treated based on the child's age and stage of development.
In addition to discussing how children develop their speech patterns, the book has a large amount of related information such as games parents can use to help their developmentally delayed child, the impact of television on infantile learning, and when to use or not use pacifiers, sippy cups, and teething toys. While the author feels some television can be instructive for children, viewing must be limited to a short time each day, with no viewing for extremely young children that are better served by interaction with their environment. She also studies how certain types of programs serve to benefit or hinder the young viewer.
Another section identifies the key things to look for when selecting a daycare setting. Some of these things include a storytelling area, library of age-appropriate books, playacting activity times and other group activities that help the child to verbally interact with the teachers and their peers. The book also highlights how to find an accredited learning center, getting assistance from government programs, and specific information for selecting the right environment for special needs children.
This book also examines why some children have delayed progress in speech development. Some of the contributing factors may include hearing loss and ear infections, other childhood diseases, and personality issues that result in developmental delays. Some items to evaluate in determining whether your child's development is normal include comparison against their peers, related abilities with large and small motor skills, and the child's cognitive recognition skills. An important point that is made by the author is the need to seek professional help as early as possible if one suspects the child has a problem.
Look Who's Talking! is filled with great advice for any parent, and is of particular interest to those parents that are worried about their child's development or speech patterns. For parents adapting to their first newborn, this book is a must-read since it details the best methods for guiding their child along the road to normal speech and communicative skills. The milestone format presentation of speech development will provide reassurance to the caring and worried parent that their child's small speech problem is not abnormal or unusual, while helping parents to identify more troubling indications of developmental difficulties when and if they arise.
To read review on Frank Fogg Website, go to http://www.fogg.cc/reviews/books/breview182.htm>."
Look Who's Talking - An overview by Rita Brenke of Education Clearinghouse.
Look Who's Talking is a fresh and warm approach to the skills
we were not handed when we welcomed our new bundle of joy
into the world.
Laura Dyer has taken a topic that up until now has seemed
hard to ascertain and has broken it down into bite sized pieces.
Now we all may benefit from her knowledge and expertise
and utilize this wealth of information that she has bestowed
upon us, her audience.
When I first read this new book, my first impression was
that of welcome. The information provided is so extensive
yet she has a way of breaking it down so the layman mom,
such as I, can grasp each segment of it.
Bulleted steps are offered, examples and references are given, common
sense skills that one has but would not think to utilize until now,
as well as information and background on the advice given.
Laura Dyer has surpassed her previous works, in this new
book. Nine chapters full of innovative approaches you and
your child will enjoy as you explore the world of language
together. When you have completed the book, you will find
the lyrics to the whimsical tunes at the end which all help
further escalate the child's language abilities. Enjoy! I did!
Thank you, Laura for "speaking up" so eloquently on the art of language.
Rita Brenke is the Director of Education Clearinghouse
& Education Explorations. She is a Mother of three, living in WA state.
What can parents do to stimulate their child’s ability to speak--even before birth?
How does a parent learn to be a good language model?
Why is early intervention so important?
These and many other questions are answered in Laura Dyer’s comprehensive handbook. Her goal in writing the book was “to help reduce the anxiety some parents may feel about their children’s speech and language development.” Parents are certain to find help among the broad array of topics covered, and will benefit greatly from the many tips and suggestions that Ms. Dyer presents.
Subjects include pre-verbal signs and gestures, common concerns and warning signs about development, outside influences affecting development, a typical child’s skills from birth to age seven, effective use of sign language, and musical activities and imaginary play to enhance language skills.
One chapter is devoted to raising bi-lingual children, second-language learning, and the special challenges faced by parents who adopt internationally. The author also discusses education, assessment, and treatment options for bi-lingual children who are language delayed.
Ms. Dyer, who worked with children as a speech-language therapist, includes the lyrics of the 20 educational songs on her CD “Little Language Songs for Little Ones,” which help children learn vocabulary words and concepts.
The book also lists some organizations and associations, including the National Adoption Center, which can provide additional information, and recommended materials, books, and on-line resources.
This handbook should be placed on an easily accessible shelf because parents of young children will be reaching for it frequently.
Reviewed by Patricia Mans in NAC-Ezine (National Adoption Center), May 2004
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Support for Families of Children with Disabilities Newsletter, San Francisco, CA Summer 2004
The author takes us on the journey of communication from preverbal stages through age seven. She points out developmental milestones and warning signs. It is comprehensive and easy to read. Strategies are given at each stage to help parents enhance their children's language skills. It addresses sign language and learning a second language. The reader can easily find needed information through the Table of Contents, the Appendices, the notes, and the index.
South Florida Parenting Magazine, May 2004
Written by a speech-language pathologist, this book gives parents everything you need to encourage your child's language development, but the really useful stuff is in the chapters for special concerns, such as bilingualism and second-language learning and using sign language to improve communication with young children. Dyer also provides age-by-age development milestones for language and offers some really good ideas for enhancing those all-important preliteracy skills.
July, 2004 Pick of the Month - Bookviews.com - Reviewed by Alan Caruba
A number of books have been published of late on the topic of children’s health and growth. As the Grand Uncle of little Jessica Caruba who will celebrate her first birthday in September, I found Look Who’s Talking! ($12.00, Meadowbrook Press) an interesting book on how to enhance a child’s language development right from birth. Written by speech therapist Laura Dyer, the book covers all aspects of speech development from pre-verbal signals to the most common language problems and how to address them. All new parents wait to hear the first words spoken, but this book provides value information about recognizing those first efforts toward language and how to make the most of them.
