In this fascinating and informative book, Margaret Maclagan and Anne Buckley—two specialists in children’s language development—explain the subtle and extraordinary process in which children learn to talk and the very important role that parents and grandparents can play. Combining a comprehensive understanding of speech development with fascinating scientific facts—did you know that babies cry with an accent?—Talking Baby offers numerous practical suggestions and real-life examples of how parents can best help their children to learn to talk. The authors also provide many ideas for ‘talking’ topics, as well as ways to use the everyday things in life to encourage children’s comprehension and speech. Drawing on their combined 40 years’ experience, the authors also address some of the more commonly asked questions by parents. 

Anne Buckley (MSc, Human Communication, Lond) is a former speech-language therapist. She has worked in medical publishing for more than a decade as a medical writer and editor, writing for both health professionals and consumers. Anne has a son. Margaret Maclagan (PhD, Lond) has been a lecturer in child language development and language analysis for more than three decades. She taught speech-language therapists at the University of Canterbury, is an author and editor of academic books, and now writes for a general audience. She is a mother and grandmother.