Talk to Them Early and Often

This book explains why early communication with infants and toddlers is so important and how to effectively talk to these young learners in a wide variety of circumstances.

Talk to Them Early and Often is a practical guide for early childhood educators, caregivers, and parents who want to harness the power of language during the most important years of brain development—birth to age 3. Early childhood educator and parent coach Cara Tyrrell explains how the way adults speak to young children not only shapes their vocabulary, but also informs their developing identity, confidence, and emotional resilience.
Readers will learn how the quality and intention of an adult’s words affects the young, pre-verbal brain, laying the foundation for strong linguistic neural pathways, quality relationships, and independent success in school and life. Part I explores the science of receptive and expressive language development, while Part II delivers 10 linguistic guidelines and 25 intentional language strategies to embed into everyday conversation.

This practical resource includes research-backed insights, practical scripts, and vivid classroom and home-based vignettes to help adults transform everyday interactions into opportunities for growth.

Book Features:

• Provides 10 linguistic guidelines and 25 practical strategies for educators and parents to use in daily interactions.
• Includes a downloadable resource guide stocked with printable resources and video examples to support immediate application across home and classroom settings.
• Shares “Teacher-to-Parent Toddler Talk Tips” to bridge communication strategies from school to home.
• Offers helpful callout sections that compare what we tend to say vs. what we should say—and why it works.
• Makes the science of language development actionable with concrete next steps and developmental points to remember at the end of each chapter.
• Explores how adults’ words, tone, and body language shape early brain development during the “Invisible Learning Years.”

Cara Tyrrell is a teacher trainer, parent educator, founder of Core4Parenting, and host of the "Transforming the Toddler Years" podcast.

“Cara Tyrrell is a passionate advocate for the everyday language and interactions that help children build confidence, resilience, and lifelong success.”
—Dana Suskind, MD, co-director, TMW Center for Early Learning + Public Health, University of Chicago, and author of Thirty Million Words and Human Raised

“Clear communication is essential for parents and teachers, yet too often we fall back on habitual unskillful language we've absorbed. What to do? Cara Tyrrell's Talk to Them Early and Often answers that question. It's the perfect resource for people who have little ones in their lives and want to make sure that the words coming out of their mouths are nurturing and connecting, rather than unknowingly harmful. With its practical strategies, real-life examples, and gentle guidance, this book empowers adults to speak in ways that build trust, confidence, and emotional resilience in children—setting the foundation for strong, lifelong relationships.”
—Hunter Clarke-Fields, author of Raising Good Humans and host of the Mindful Mama podcast

“Cara Tyrrell is a true teacher. Her ability to translate research and neuroscience into clear, actionable practice will stay with me forever. Talk to Them Early and Often offers unconditional positive regard for caregivers, intentionally supporting shifts in perspective and beliefs, building understanding, providing resources, and supporting autonomy and ownership of learning.”
—Barb Wilder-Smith, executive director and co-developer at Tools of the Mind

"Talk to Them Early and Often is a gift to infant–toddler caregivers, pulling back the curtain on early language development in ways that are both scientifically sound and immensely practical. You won't just walk away with a better understanding, but also with strategies you can begin using today."
—Dan Wuori, founder and president of Early Childhood Policy Solutions LLC, and author of The Daycare Myth

“Talk To Then Early and Often is an essential read for anyone in the early childhood field. It is grounded in the power of relationships as the foundation for infant and toddler language development. Tyrrell offers guidance that is both academically grounded and immediately applicable. This book explains the why behind many strategies I employ and will remain a trusted, frequently used resource on my bookshelf.”
—Christian Bellissimo, play therapist and early childhood consultant

“In my experience as a leader and advocate within the national Head Start community over the last 25 years, Cara impressed me as among the best trainers I have seen. With Talk to Them Early and Often, Cara shares a range of thoughtful, well-researched approaches for supporting language development for young children from birth to age three. Grounded in her love of children, families, and educators, this book is a wonderful resource filled with wisdom, warmth, and humanity.”
—Paul Behrman, leadership keynote and trainer