Read My Lips: Learning Language

Verbal Fluency in Children (05:24)
At age three, Riana is a "chatterbox" whose good verbal skills come from her verbally fluent parents. The pressures of parenting are driving Riana’s parents apart.

Effect of Attention Span on Language Development (05:38)
A mother finds it difficult to have one-on-one conversations with each of her triplets. One triplet's speech impediment is worrisome to her mother.

Speech Difficulties in Children (04:15)
Three-year-old Ethan got off to a bad start because his mother Kerry suffered from severe depression. His speech is difficult to understand and Kerry often loses patience with him.

Nonverbal Communication (02:51)
Children learn language in the context of all nonverbal communications from those around them. An expert analyzes the body language of parents.

Effect of Mixed Messages on Language Development (04:15)
Because his mother sends mixed messages through her verbal and non-verbal communication, Ethan is confused. He falls behind in nursery school academically and socially.

Pronunciation and Sounds of Language (05:56)
Hita speaks her native language at home and finds it difficult to integrate in English-speaking nursery school. A very young child's brain is malleable enough to learn two or more languages at once.

Dyslexia and Language (04:35)
A dyslexic mother is optimistic about her son’s future. When he is diagnosed with the same condition, however, she learns he will require extra help in school.

Nonverbal Expression in Children (04:49)
Children whose parents separate are more likely to have behavior problems. Because Tyrese does not express his feelings verbally about his parents' separation, his mother must watch for nonverbal communication cues.

Interpreting Children's Nonverbal Responses (05:46)
In an experiment, mothers identify their children's nonverbal responses, but Tyrese's mother misses some of his. Experiments show that children with speech difficulties are better at identifying emotion in language.

Emotions Hidden Behind Speech (03:41)
At age three, Riana understands that many negative feelings are hidden, just as they are at home between her parents.

Open Communication Between Partners (04:01)
MRI brain scans reveal biological differences that indicate women use both sides of the brain more than men do. Riana’s parents practice new communication strategies.

Parents Improving Their Skills (05:27)
Ethan's mother practices assertiveness skills with a coach. A language teacher works with Hita and her mother so that their language skills can open up new opportunities for them in an English-speaking world.