This film reviews the underlying cognitive, social and physical requirements for all formal education and then presents the literacy specific understandings and skills that are being widely cited, but not always adequately described. Rejecting the "either/or" approach of the reading wars, this video presents an integrated vision of how the precursors of literacy grow from appropriate experiences provided by thoughtful adults to the children in their...

Using vignettes filmed at an exemplary children's centre, students are introduced to the vocabulary of language studies. Dr. Honig describes the development of spoken language in infancy, toddlerhood and early childhood. She details strategies caregivers should use to nourish language development during the early stages of language acquisition. The film abounds with excellent examples of adults interacting verbally with children, illustrating...