Maryellen MacDonald's book, More Than Words, explores the cognitive complexities of talking and its benefits in shaping our minds and communication. The author argues that conversation not only requires planning and memory retrieval but also transforms our cognitive processes. MacDonald advocates for 'baby talk' as beneficial for vocabulary development and highlights how traditional media often lack developmental impact compared to active parent-child interactions. Moreover, she emphasizes that active learning strategies yield better educational outcomes than conventional methods, encouraging collaboration and discussion as critical components in fostering language and academic skills.
Talk isn't cheap, according to Maryellen MacDonald. But it's worth the price. More taxing on the brain than comprehending, talking involves making a plan for what we want to say.
MacDonald touts the virtues of 'baby talk.' When an infant 'babbles' while looking at or holding an object, adults invariably name it, thereby adding to the baby's vocabulary.
By contrast, along with generative activities like pretend play, talking to parents and younger siblings boosts learning and language skills.
MacDonald makes a compelling case that active learning, where students discuss concepts and defend conclusions, produces better results than the traditional lecture-plus-homework approach.
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