Give your child the best start to life and learning!!
Research has shown that children who grow up in language rich environments are more likely to do better at school later in life. Child Talk is an Australian DVD/Workbook package that teaches caregivers how to provide their child with a powerful language rich environment from birth and by so doing, maximize their child’s future academic potential.
Why is early language critical for academic success?
Research shows a number of links between early language and academic success mainly through vocabulary and literacy development and it can all start from Day One! Children who grow up in language rich environments are more responsive to communication. Children who are more responsive to communication attract more attention and talking from their caregivers leading to further exposure to language. These children then go on to develop larger vocabularies which is critical for learning to read and write well. And lastly, children who read and write well tend to do better at school.
How can Child Talk help?
Child Talk is an Australian DVD/Workbook package that teaches parents of 0 – 3 year olds how to nurture their child’s language development which is critical for future academic success. Parents / caregivers are shown how to provide a language rich environment for their child from Day One. In particular, a language rich environment to their child’s language level and consequently….give their child the best start to life.
Life with a baby is very busy. Parents may not have a lot of time to sit down and play with their baby which is why the strategies in this DVD are set up around everyday activities that parents normally do with their child. Bath time, getting dressed, meal times, cleaning, laundry and cooking are all good opportunities for using these strategies.
The DVD is set up with 6 easy modules to follow. Module 1 outlines how speech and language typically grow. This helps parents identify what level their child’s language is at so that they can target their language appropriate to their child’s level. This is one of the underlying principles of the program. Module 2 teaches three strategies that help lay the foundations for nurturing a language responsive child from the time of birth. Following this each of the remaining four simple strategies are introduced one by one. Each strategy is explained and demonstrated by a parent and their baby. They are:
See below for an excerpt of the Add-A-Word Strategy.
At the end of each module parents are directed back to their workbook to complete activities that help them transfer what they have learned into everyday activities with their child. In addition to activities, the workbook introduces parents to the program and provides information about when and how to find a Speech and Language Pathologist if needed.
Please note, children do not have to be showing signs of language delay for parents to use this package even though it may help. This DVD is actually designed for parents / caregivers who are looking for additional knowledge and skills to nurture their children to be the best they can be and to reach their potential from day one.
Child Talk was created and written in consultation with Speech Pathologists. It is presented by Dr Charlotte Middleton (MBS, Dip Child Health) who works in maternal and child health in south western Sydney.
Be proactive about your child’s language development! Whether you are an expectant parent, new parent, parent of a toddler (aged 0 – 3 years), a caregiver or someone looking for a unique baby gift idea, this package is ideal for you. Click on the button below to purchase a copy now!
Excerpt from Add-A-Word strategy explained and demonstrated on the DVD.
Add-a-word is best used with children who are using 1 – 4 word sentences. By using Add-a-Word you are building your child’s sentences up and increasing her awareness of how words can be combined to convey information.
Often times when our child talks to us, we respond by saying things like ‘Wow!’ or ‘Really?’ It is more beneficial to your child’s vocabulary development and confidence if you can repeat back to her, a more detailed sentence after she has said something. Not only will she hear a more adult way of saying what she wanted to but it also affirms to her that you have understood what she said.
The way to use Add-a-Word is to add one word onto what your child has said. So if she has said, “teddy” you might say “Jane’s teddy”. If your child says “big boat”, you might say “big blue boat”.
Don’t pressure your child to repeat what you have then said back to you. You are just providing your child with an opportunity to hear how she could have said it and perhaps next time she might try it.
Case Study
By the age of 2 years old, Zade was using 7 word sentences, had a fantastic confidence about him and was rarely frustrated by an inability to ask for what he wanted or say what he thought.
His mother was often asked by friends with babies the same age who were only using 1 or 2 words in each sentence and even by their GP how it was that he talked so well at such a young age.
She would always tell them that since he was born she had used the seven simple communication strategies presented in this DVD / workbook package in their everyday activities to facilitate his language development effortlessly with fun and love.
Endorsements
“It is the wish of most parents to provide an environment for their child that encourages them to reach their best potential. ‘Child Talk’ helps parents achieve this aim by describing simple strategies to foster their child’s language development at home. The functional DVD and workbook allow parents to first view the strategies and then practise them with their own child. I would highly recommend this resource for both families and early childhood professionals.” Dr Nicole Watts Pappas (Bach Sp Path, MHlthSc(Sp Path), PhD).
“A wonderful opportunity to learn some simple strategies which can have a powerful effect on your child’s communication and will raise your awareness of language interactions in everyday life” Katherine Cooper (BMedSci(Hons)Speech Science).
Stockists
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Capers Online Bookstore - www.capersbookstore.com.au
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More coming....
