Making Time to Talk - Language Theory and Early Communication
From The Early Years Together by Deborah Brown and Dr Jacqueline Young
February 22, 2026 · 13 min · Season 1 · Episode 5
About this episode
Deborah and Jacqueline discuss how babies learn to communicate and explore language development theories.
In this episode, Deborah and Jacqueline explore how babies begin learning to communicate in their earliest months. They discuss language development theories, early interactions, and the Reggio Emilia concept of the “Hundred Languages of Children,” offering practical ways to support infants as emerging communicators. Subscribe, share, and step into a podcast made for reflective early years practice. Episode Five References: Chomsky, N. (1959). Review of Verbal Behavior by B. F. Skinner. Language, 35. 26-58 Chomsky, N. (1968). Language and Mind. New York: Harcourt, Brace & World Kidd, E. and Garcia, R., (2022). How diverse is child language acquisition research? First Language, 42(6), pp.703-735. Malaguzzi, L. (1994) ‘Your image of the child: where teaching begins’, Child Care Information Exchange , pp. 52–57. Skinner, B.F. (1957). Verbal Behaviour. Appleton-Century-Crofts, New York Hosts: Deborah Brown www.linkedin.com/in/deborah-brown79 Dr Jacqueline Young www.linkedin.com/in/dr-jacqueline-young Music composed by: Luke Young www.linkedin.com/in/lukeyoungcomposer
People in this episode
Hosts: Deborah Brown, Dr Jacqueline Young
Topics covered
- language development
- early communication
- infant interactions
- theories of language
- Reggio Emilia
- supporting communicators
Keywords
- language theory
- early communication
- infant language development
- Reggio Emilia
- Hundred Languages of Children
- Chomsky
- Skinner
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Reggio Emilia
Books & works: Verbal Behavior, Language and Mind
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- Making Time to Talk - Building Connections Through Talk in the Home · March 15, 2026 · 13 min
- Making Time to Talk - Supporting Multilingual Children in the Early Years · March 8, 2026 · 11 min
- Making Time to Talk - Why Being an Active Listener is Important · March 1, 2026 · 16 min
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