Power of Conversations

"We know that play is a critical component of healthy development in children.  Yet, we still see gaps in access to quality, safe play spaces and learning experiences; we still have not closed the persistent 30 million word gap; and we still need to find new ways to reinforce the importance of playful early learning experiences."  This is the preamble on the Houghton Mifflin Harcourt's web presentation of the third installment of their "Conversations on Early Learning" series.  This conversation explored the vital connections between play and learning. 

In part of this conversation, Roberta Golinkoff and Kathy Hirsh-Pasek, research psychologists and experts in playful learning, identified the power of engaged conversation — no matter where it occurs, noting it is not just the quantity of words kids hear that makes a difference in language acquisition, it is the quality of the conversation as well.

"In a recent study, Golinkoff and Hirsh revealed how easily the supermarket can become an opportunity for learning.  By posting simple signs asking fun questions about the items for sale throughout grocery stores, they found they could increase interaction between parents and children by inviting organic, meaningful conversation.  So the next time you are running errands with your children, strike up a conversation in the produce aisle and see where their questions and thoughts take you."

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