Speech and language are fundamental to human development. Language is needed for both communication and thought, while education depends on the ability to understand and use language competently. Effective communication underpins social and emotional well being. Children's Communication Skills: From Birth to Five Years uses a clear format to set out the key stages of communication development in babies and young children. Its aim is to increase awareness in professionals working with children of what constitutes human communication and what communication skills to expect at any given stage. Illustrated throughout with real-life examples, this informative text addresses: normal development of verbal and non-verbal communication skills; the importance of play in developing these skills; developmental communication problems; bilingualism, cognition and early literacy development; working with parents of children with communication difficulties. Features are designed to make the book an easy source of reference include chapter summaries, age-specific skills tables, sections on warning signs that further help may be needed, and a glossary of key terms. These practical guidelines on what to expect children to achieve and how to help them get there are based on a huge body of research in child language and communication development. Children's Communication Skills: From Birth to Five Years will be of great use to a wide range of professionals in training or working in health, education and social care, including health visitors, GPs, community nurses, educational psychologists, early years educators and speech and language therapists.