Language Development: From Theory to Practice

For introductory courses in Language Development.

Introducing Language Development From Theory to Practice, a fresh and welcome addition to the field of language development. This new market entry is a timely text that uses evidence-based practices to emphasize the research foundations of language development, builds reader comprehension with a developmental approach to language, promotes awareness of how culture interacts with language development and children of diverse backgrounds, and uses technology to enhance the learner’s experience. In addition to providing a multidisciplinary survey of language development from birth to adulthood, this text includes chapter inserts which focus on bridging theory with clinical and educational practice, highlights multicultural considerations, and describes research methodology in language development. Instructors will appreciate the instructors’ manual, which includes discussion items, chapter summaries, and a bank of assessment questions, and students will value the companion website, which includes reflection questions and study items for each chapter, as well as additional web links to sites of interest.

LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT FROM THEORY TO PRACTICE

Khara L. Pence

Laura M. Justice

An introductory language development text needs to provide a comprehensive overview of the field, but it also needs to engage and excite the reader. Language Development from Theory to Practice by Khara L. Pence and Laura M. Justice exceeds these criteria and provides readers with a theoretical and scientific foundation for the study of language development while also making the material relevant to current and future experiences in clinical, educational, and research settings.

A TEXT THAT USES EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICES TO EMPHASIZE THE RESEARCH FOUNDATIONS OF LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT.

• Research Paradigms describe various research models that inform our understanding of language development as a field of study. Some of these models are also featured on the CD-ROM that accompanies the text.
• Theory to Practice features bridge the gap with discussions about how different theoretical perspectives influence and define educational and clinical practice.

A TEXT THAT BUILDS READER COMPREHENSION WITH A DEVELOPMENTAL APPROACH TO LANGUAGE.

• Chapters 5-8 focus on language acquisition in infancy, toddlerhood, preschool age, school age, and beyond. Each chapter examines achievements in language content, form, and use and describes methods that researchers and clinicians use to measure language development.
• Developmental Timelines (Chapters 5-8) present milestones for language development, observable features of these developmental milestones, and the ages by which these milestones are generally achieved.

A TEXT THAT PROMOTES AWARENESS OF HOW CULTURE INTERACTS WITH LANGUAGE DEVELOPMENT AND CHILDREN OF DIVERSE BACKGROUNDS.

• Chapter 9 fully describes the relationship between language and culture, including bilingualism and second language acquisition and their implications for practice.
• Multicultural Focus features introduce the educational and clinical implications of cultural differences in language development and describe the observable feature of these differences.

TECHNOLOGY ACCOMPANYING THE TEXT.

• The Stages of Language Development: A Video Journey CD-ROM packaged in the back of the book contains video clips of some of the research paradigms featured in the text as well as language and video samples for children ranging in age from newborn through age 13. The CD is integrated into the text with margin notes.
• The Companion Website at http://www.prenhall.com/pence offers users a wide range of chapter specific resources, self-quizzes, and activities.

 To view the website that accompanies this text, please go to http://www.prenhall.com/pence.