Critical Issues in Infant-Toddler Language Development

Daniel R. Meier is Professor of Elementary Education at San Francisco State University, USA, and has written widely on young children’s language and literacy learning.

• Part I: Language, Interaction, and Play 1. Language, Play, and Social Interaction — Key Dimensions 2. Organizational and Leadership Strategies for Promoting Language, Play, and Interaction 3. Establishing Indoor and Outdoor Environments for Language Growth Part II: Language and Culture 4. Social and Cultural Contexts: Implications for Infant and Toddler Language Development 5. Reading for Liberation in Early Childhood Education — Promoting an Anti-Racist Language and Literacy Curriculum 6. Expanding Language and Literacy Opportunities for Children with Disabilities Part III: Multilingualism 7. Bilingual First Language Acquisition: What the Research Says 8. Supporting Infants and Toddlers in Bilingual Classrooms 9. Supporting Multilingualism for Infants and Toddlers in English-Medium Classrooms Part IV: Early Literacy 10. Early Literacy Research and Theory on Infants and Toddlers: A Strengths-Based Approach 11. Using Children’s Books for Sensory Exploration and Language Learning 12. Supporting Children’s Creative and Artistic Expression from Multiple Perspectives

'There is so much to admire in this edited collection! In addition to a practical and informative resource for early childhood practitioners and teacher educators working with infants and toddlers, three elements make this collection unique and particularly important. First, the diversity of voices including many practitioner first-hand accounts is rare and powerful. Readers will feel they are really talking with a talented group of colleagues. Second, the book centers culturally sustaining pedagogy as early language instruction. Attention to second language learning and attention to home culture permeate the entire collection. Third, the book is full of innovative practices a practitioner can go and try the next day. Readers will leave better informed as they seek to create classrooms that support our youngest learners and families.' Cara Furman, PhD, Associate Professor of Literacy Education, University of Maine, Farmington