Developing Language and Literacy with Young Children: (Zero to Eight)

`In its third edition...the author has included the latest research evidence relating to children aged from nought to eight. Her writing embraces the value of play, relationships, bilingualism and multilingualism in creating a rich language and literacy environment. Developing Language and Literacy with Young Children will appeal to a wide range of readers - practitioners, students, and their tutors, as well as parents and carers′ - Early Years Update ′Highly readable... Anybody working with babies and young children needs to have the knowledge that Whitehead clearly explains here′ - SureStart ′One of the many excellent features of this book is the way it tackles the issue of bilingualism in early childhood′ - Early Years Educator (eye) Praise for previous editions: `Marian Whitehead forces the reader to attend to the "voice of the child against the encroachment of inappropriate curriculum demands. Her total fascination for children′s language development captures the reader in an enthusiastic and informed voyage through "the most exciting and important aspect of human development - language in the early years′ - Early Years `This is an excellent read for all parents and workers with young children. The style of the book is friendly and accessible, with beautifully produced of photographs of children and indeed of their own work. Marian Whitehead is not ashamed to draw on her experiences as a grandparent, as well as highly competent theoretical researcher; she does both with competence and humour. This will prove an excellent source book for those involved in course design from childminders to university lecturers′ - Child Language Teaching and Therapy Looking at the most exciting and important aspect of human development - communication and language in the early years - this accessible book gives carers, parents, teachers and other professionals who work and play with young children a confident understanding of children′s communication and language development in the years from birth to age eight. The book examines the wide range of elements that are typical of all our communication and language activities: thinking, feeling, imagining, talking, listening, drawing, writing and reading. The author emphasizes the importance of children′s relationships and communications with the people who care about them, spend time with them and share in the excitement of their developing languages and their investigations of literacy. Taking a holistic approach, she covers: o early communication and language o the achievements of young bilinguals o the significance of stories, narrative and language play o the emergence of literacy in homes, early years settings and classrooms. ′This highly readable guide discusses how to help babies become competent communicators...Anybody working with babies and young children needs to have the knowledge that Whitehead clearly explains here′ - SureStart

Table of Contents:
Introduction Glossary The Development of Communication and Language Young Bilinguals Stories, Narrative and Play with Language Literacy: The Early Years, birth to 6 Literacy: Developing Readers and Writers 6-8 Talking with Parents and Carers about Communication and Language Development Bibliography Index

About the Author :
Marian R Whitehead was formerly a Senior Lecturer in Education at Goldsmiths College, University of London, with responsibility for organizing and teaching M.A. degrees in Language and Literature and Early Childhood Education. She has published extensively on literacy, literature and bilingualism and is a co-editor of the journal Early Years. She now combines writing with language and early years consultancy work. She is the co-editor of Early Years, An International Journal of Research and Development. She is a well known author, and her books include How to Develop Children′s Early Literacy, with Makin, L (Paul Chapman Publishing 2003), Developing Language and Literacy with Young Children, Second Edition (Paul Chapman Publishing, 2002) Supporting Language and Literacy in the Early Years (1999) Open University Press.

Review :
′This highly readable guide discusses how to help babies become competent communicators...Anybody working with babies and young children needs to have the knowledge that Whitehead clearly explains here′ - SureStart ′The author′s approach to this topic is effective and provides beneficial information about language and literacy development...an enjoyable yet informative read for parents, care givers, educators, librarians and other practitioners working with young children. This is a worthy title to add to your personal or professional collection!′ Education Libraries