Kids Talking: Learning Communication and Culture with Children

Carl and David were talking about older brothers. 'My big brother is eight,' said Carl. Not to be outdone, David said, 'When I'm ten I'll beat your big brother.' 'No, you won't; he'll be eleven,' said Carl. David kept claiming he would be older than Carl's brother. 'When were you born?' asked Carl. 'When I was younger.' Kids Talking explores communication among young children in a child care setting, showing how games and even tentative interactions can turn into rich relationships—and a vibrant learning culture where friendships, power, and control are managed in creative ways. Filled with lively anecdotes and examples, this engaging book looks at ways children's passionate and mixed signals, communication uncertainty, conflict, and games can be transformed into effective messages. Readers who work with young/preschool children, including parents, child care workers, and teachers, will find useful insights and suggestions for how to enhance young children's communication skills.

Kids Talking explores communication among young children in a child-care setting, showing how games and even tentative interactions can turn into rich relationships—and a vibrant learning culture where friendships, power, and control are managed in creative ways. Filled with lively anecdotes and examples, this engaging book looks at ways children's passionate and mixed signals, communication uncertainty, conflict, and games can be transformed into effective messages. Readers who work with preschool-aged children, including parents, child-care workers, and teachers, will find useful insights and suggestions for how to enhance communication skills in young children.

John Meyer is associate professor of speech communication at the University of Southern Mississippi.