Understanding Children's Language and Literacy

This comprehensive guide demystifies how children acquire language and build literacy skills, providing clear explanations of key developmental theories and milestones. Mukherji systematically outlines the progression of listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities while addressing practical educational applications. The text stands out for its thorough coverage of communication challenges, including dedicated chapters on bilingual language development and working with deaf children. What makes this resource particularly valuable is its balanced approach—grounded in academic research yet immediately useful for educators and parents seeking to support children's linguistic growth.

Readers will appreciate how the author transforms complex linguistic concepts into accessible knowledge without oversimplifying the science behind language acquisition. This book serves as both an introductory textbook for education students and a reliable reference for experienced teachers looking to deepen their understanding of literacy development. The inclusion of communication disorders and multilingualism makes it especially relevant for today's diverse classrooms, offering insights that can directly inform teaching strategies and parent-child interactions. Ultimately, it provides the foundational knowledge needed to effectively nurture young communicators at every stage of their development.