“An excellent book that is as reflective as it is instructional. It empowers caregivers
to improve communication with children.”
—Stephen J. Bavolek, PhD,
principal author of the Nurturing Parenting Programs

“The way adults talk with young children defines how well we are understanding them and getting them to understand us. This book is like a flashlight: it helps you see just how your words sound to a child, and shows you ways to say things better.”
—Martha Sears,
co-author with Dr. Bill Sears of The Baby Book, The Discipline Book,
and others in the Sears Parenting Library

“Sarah MacLauglin explains how to speak respectfully to children while setting clear limits; how to respond to what they really need from us in ways that leave us feeling good about ourselves as parents and teachers.”
—Jane Katch, MST,
author of They Don’t Like Me and Under Deadman’s Skin; preschool teacher
and authority on child development and early childhood education

“MacLaughlin writes in a pitch-perfect voice, borne of years of experience working with young children, to gives us a practical, down-to-earth guide of what (not) to say in growing emotionally healthy children. A must-have book for any care giving adult.”
—Selma Wasserman, MS, EdD,
innovator in Case Method Teaching; author of many books, including Serious Players in the Primary Classroom, This Teaching Life, and The Long Distance Grandmother