The Bookshelf: July 23, 2015

Trib+Edu is joining with respected books authority Kirkus Reviews to bring you select reviews of books of note in the field of education. For more book reviews and recommendations, visit Kirkus.com.

THIRTY MILLION WORDS: Building a Child's Brain

by Dana Suskind

Founder and director of the Thirty Million Words Initiative at the University of Chicago, Suskind provides an extensive analysis of why it is imperative to speak to your child from the moment he or she is born. … Based on her investigations, Suskind and other research scientists have determined that a child who hears a vast amount of language during the critical first three years of life will have a higher IQ and score higher on tests and excel in science, technology, engineering, and math over children who hear less conversation. ... According to Suskind, even babies who haven’t learned to speak can be engaged, and it is vital to begin this process from the baby’s earliest moments. The author also emphasizes how important it is for children to learn a second language, if possible, during the first three years of life; this also helps build highly important neural connections that will be useful later in life.

For the full review, visit kirkus.com.