Talk Me into It: Preparing Children for School Success Through Language

After establishing in the introduction that language skills are important for school success and that input matters, Talk Me Into It answers the question: How can we provide the best stimulation possible for language development to occur? Using her more than twenty-five years of experience as a speech-language pathologist and early childhood educator, the author informs and assists readers in making the most of their interactions with their young children. The book is 240 pages and contains twelve illustrations. Talk Me Into It is divided into three sections. The first section, Learning to Talk, covers specific features of both listening and speaking, that are expected to appear at various stages. Each stage is described in terms of typical behavior, and what can be done to enhance development at that particular stage. The second section, entitled Talking Together, explains general principles and specific strategies that parents can use when talking with their children. It also discusses important differences between activities. The third section, Talking to Learn, provides specific ways to help prepare a child for success as a participant in a classroom, and addresses readiness skills necessary for learning to read and write. The final chapter presents the latest research on dyslexia, identify early warning signs of a language-based learning disability and offers information about where to find advice and help. An appendix of language activities appropriate for preschoolers is followed by a second appendix of resources and organizations with web site addresses. Talk Me Into It offers: I. Top Ten lists of activities for each of five age levels (birth through age six) II. An "Ask Dr. Susan" feature in which questions commonly asked by parents will be addressed III. A down-to-earth practical guide to language development for the lay public IV. Self-Check exercises that parents and caregivers can use to increase their understanding and awareness of how they interact with their child Who This Book Is For: - Parents, - Day Care Providers - Grandparents - Babysitters and Nannies - Preschool and Kindergarten Teachers - Entry level practitioners in: - speech-language pathology - occupational therapy - special and early childhood education Readers of this book will learn: - Which language, motor and play behaviors to expect at different ages - Ways of interacting with children that will stimulate language growth - How language skills are critical to reading readiness and early school success - Fun activities used by a speech-language pathologist to help develop language skills - When it might be wise to consult a speech-language pathologist, and where to get help Table of Contents: Part I: Learning to Talk 1. Infancy: Crying, Cooing, Babbling and First Words 2. Age One to Two: Walking and Talking 3. Age Two to Three: Learning How Words Go Together 4. Age Three to Five: Learning to Have Conversations 5. Age Five to Six: Getting Ready to Become Literate Part II: Talking Together 6. Conversational Strategies: three Ex's and a WHALE 7. So Glad You Asked: Asking Good Questions 8. Activity Matters Part III: Talking to Learn 9. Getting Ready for School: The Preschool Experience 10. Getting Ready to Read and Write: Not as Simple as ABC 11. Ready or Not: Here I Come Appendix A: Language Activities for Preschool (LAP) Appendix B: Resources, Books, Programs, Materials

Dr. Susan Pike is a pediatric speech-language pathologist with certification from the American Speech-Hearing-Language Association. She holds a masters degree in speech-language pathology from Columbia University and a Ph.D. from the University of Virginia. With more than twenty-five years of experience in both school and clinical settings, she brings a lifelong accumulation of knowledge to her readers. She has been a presenter at state and national conventions, and has conducted workshops and training for daycare and preschool personnel. She currently manages a private practice in northern Westchester County, New York.