How Babies Talk (1999). By Roberta M. Golinkoff & Kathy Hirsh-Pasek. Dutton/Penguin Putnam, Inc., 375 Hudson St., New York, NY, 10014. 256 pages, $25.95. Reviewed by Mary Ann Fenske, Wichita State University, KS.
Written by two experts in the field of language development, this comprehensive book provides an engaging look at how babies learn language and the specific ways that speech-language pathologists and, ultimately, parents and caregivers can nurture linguistic skills at each stage of a child’s development. The eight chapters in this book are organized chronologically beginning with fetal development, continuing through the newborn period, and on to the preschool years. The authors instill a sense of wonder in their readers through use of words like "magic" and "mystery" and humorous chapter titles such as "Watch Your Language! The Fetus Can Hear You: Development From Before Birth to Three Months of Age" and "Yada Yada Yada: The Babbling Period Between Four and Eight Months of Age." In a lighthearted manner, these authors have compiled extensive reviews of the latest research on neurodevelopment and packaged it in a highly readable format (e.g., citations are assembled by chapter at the end of the text rather than interspersed throughout as in academic works). Parents will enjoy reading this book and will learn about the latest and most important findings at the same time.
Each chapter is highlighted with a section entitled "Language Milestones" that reveals the amazing things babies know at each age, as well as their untapped capabilities and what parents can do to develop them. "Scientific Sleuthing Pays Off" is another section devoted to how parents can use the latest scientific findings to enrich daily interactions and provide quality learning environments for their child. This section also helps caregivers identify potential problem areas that may interfere with language development. There are also several clever, "user-friendly" home-based activities to be found in "Try This," a section encouraging parents to track their child’s progress and to continuously stimulate language/learning skills.
The authors, who are directly involved with infant language projects, have created a complete overview of the "magic and mystery of language development in the first three years of life" that would make a valuable addition to any parent’s library, as well as to any SLP’s collection. Golinkoff is a professor in the school of education at the University of Delaware, who also directs an Infant Language Project and holds joint appointments in the linguistics and psychology departments. Hirsh-Pasek directs an Infant Language Laboratory and is a member of the psychology department at Temple University.