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 contributes 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. This delightful and highly readable book dotted with illustrative anecdotes has captured important findings on emerging literacy and the programs that help it flourish. It is a great read for parents, practitioners, and inquisitive minds who want to understand the science of reading."
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. In one book, in digestible and beautifully written prose, we learn how to help all children grow their language skills and enhance their social and academic potential. A must read."
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"; an erudite, well written, engaging, and wise exploration of children's language growth and of the programs designed to encourage it."
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. Small events have big consequences. The metaphorical butterfly effect is brilliantly analyzed in this important contribution to the literature. The authors make understandable how seeds for social and academic success are planted in the first two years and nourished through toddler and preschool years. Throughout the book, the importance of language is explained. Book reading guarantees that children come across academic or decontextualized language, and that the effects of book reading on language development are similar no matter the SES or educational level of the parents. At the same time, Dickinson and Morse explain how complex it is to introduce book reading routines in families. Language development does not stand on its own, rather it is closely interwoven with other aspects of development and not least with interactions between caregiver and child that reflect the quality of their socio‐emotional bond. Dickinson and Morse's analyses match my own experience that many parents feel overburdened by the request to read every day to their young child. Book reading is not an isolated activity which explains why it is so hard to introduce book reading routines in families."
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. The book provides a comprehensive look at theory, research, programs, and policy concerning langauge growth. Dickinson and Morse include programs that speak to parents, teachers, and pediatricians. Language development predicts literacy acheivement, therefore this global look at the origins of language are a must for those involved in the area of child development. Thank you to the distinguised authors for providing us with this exceptional scholarly document."
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—are key to early and ongoing academic success. It portrays an array of proven and promising programs that are both cost‐effective and scalable, builds our understanding of why they work, and makes a compelling case for public investment in their expansion. A highly recommended and engaging text for students and practitioners of early childhood development, education, public health, and public policy."
Joshua Sparrow, MD, Harvard Medical School - December 18, 2018
"This is an eloquent synthesis of the research on early language and literacy development and features an assortment of interventions designed by academics to help parents support their young children's learning."
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. The book is based on decades of research, co‐authored by the leading scholar in the field, and is as practical as it is theoretically deep."