15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Some great insights, but not really enough to fill a book!, 25 Aug 2003
This review is from: BabyTalk (Paperback)
The idea behind this book is a simple one. It suggests that in order to help your child's language development, you should dedicate 30 minutes a day to give them 100% attention (which has to be a good thing regardless of whether or not it helps their language). It explains how language is learnt, and how to use those 30 minutes to best effect.
The suggestions include things like making sure there is no background noise (young children can't distinguish between background and foreground noise); commenting on what your child is doing, not trying to direct his/her focus of attention, not asking questions, but making listening fun (eg by making silly noises and playing games). Using lots of repetition, and always responding to what your child means, even if it isn't expressed as 'speech'.
The book is arranged chronologically - so it tells you how to work with a child during the first 6 months, then 6-12 months, etc. In terms of advice, the chapters contain a large amount of repetition - ie, the techniques you use for a 6 month old aren't massively different from those you use with a two year old. So in a way, I felt the book could have been much shorter, but on the other hand, having all the information in every chapter does make it easy to dip into.
Although I think the content was good, I also think the main ideas could be summed up in a magazine article, rather than in a book of a couple of hundred pages. Also, as a mother of 18 month old twins, I found the one to one sessions didn't work too brilliantly. I tend to try and spend most of my day with my kids anyway, and they didn't seem to value their separate time with me, and didn't like being left with a neighbour (or whoever) whilst I did my one to ones with their sibling. So at the moment, I've put the one to ones on hold (I might go back to them in the future) but I do use the techniques recommended by Sally Ward now in my every day interactions with them, almost as second nature.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
14 of 14 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
I wish I had had this book from Day 1, 8 May 2001
This review is from: BabyTalk (Paperback)
I bought this book because at 14 months my son wasn't saying any words. He was making lots of noises but there was nothing recognisable as a word. From within a week of starting the BabyTalk programme he had started to make certain noises consistently and after three weeks there were the first hints of words. Within a month came his first word, "No" - I am not sure if this is a comment on my parenting skills. During this period his non-verbal communication skills improved as well as his ability to focus on games and toys. Arguably this was going to happen anyway but I feel that working with the BabyTalk programme definitely helped.
The book also provides interesting and valuable information on general milestones, e.g. what kinds of hand control they should be exhibiting at different ages.
The best part is that I really enjoyed working/playing with my son in the way outlined in the book and the rewards have been quick and gratifying.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No
9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very useful for all parents, 8 Jun 2001
By A Customer
This review is from: BabyTalk (Paperback)
This book helped me to understand how a child learns to speak a language. I did not buy it because I felt my child had a problem learning to speak but because I felt I needed some help in understanding the phases she was going through. The author not only comments on language development but also includes useful sections on general development and hints as to which toys help children learn.
Help other customers find the most helpful reviews
Was this review helpful to you? Yes
No