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The Verbal Advantage
May 20, 2013
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.
-Albert Einstein
-Albert Einstein
In Verbal Advantage (New York: Random House, 2000), Charles Elster cites research demonstrating the "close relationship between a large, precise knowledge of words and achievement in life" and draws these conclusions:
"A low vocabulary is a serious handicap. Ambitious and energetic persons can push ahead in their jobs just so far, but then they reach a plateau caused by low vocabulary.... And while youthful zest and high aptitudes can enable us to forge ahead despite low vocabulary, when we become mature the world expects us to know something and we are judged on knowledge rather than our possibilities....
"Building a powerful vocabulary can help you advance in your career, because as you improve your skill with language you will become a better speaker, a better writer, a better reader, and a better listener. And, if you are all those things, you probably will be a more successful person."
Contributed by Richard Barnes, DPT
The Beginnings Workshop Book on Literacy contains insightful articles on creating readers, children's conversations, multi-language programs, bilingual education, storytelling and much more.
Contents of Beginnings Workshop Book - Literacy
Building Literacy
Talking
Multi-Language Programs
Bilingual Education
Storytelling
All 9 Beginnings Worshops books are on sale at a 50% discount for the next 48 hours.
- Literacy
- Play
- Behavior
- Environments
- Professionalism
- Child Development
- Child Development II
- Curriculum: Art, Music, Movement, Drama
- Curriculum: Brain Research, Math, Science
Sale ends 11:59 PST 04/18/13
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Comments (2)
Displaying All 2 CommentsDaycare In Demand
Portsmouth, NH, United States
I would also add that there is such satisfaction in being able to select precisely the right word in any given situation - knowing those nuances gives you a better ability to understand all the fine shadings of life itself, in my opinion. And early childhood is the perfect time to begin nourishing our kids with a consistent diet of new words!
OMEP-USA
Washington, DC, United States
So, a connection exists between Hart & Risley's research on language acquisition in early childhood and the adult ability to use a lot of words! Pay attention to your reading and look up words you've never seen before. It always amazes me to learn of words I don't know. It just is one more example of learning being a life-long activity.
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