A child's need for formal communication may be as much an emotional need as a cognitive need. Several theories attempt to explain children's language development, including the theories developed by B. F. Skinner, Noam Chomsky, and J. Bruner. Most children typically follow a standard sequence of language development: crying and cooing, babbling, first words, and first sentences. Parents influence a child's language development in different ways. Fathers generally interact with their children more often as playmates than as caregivers, while mothers tend to use more baby talk and have quieter interactions. Nonparental caregivers may have a significant effect on a child's language development. Caregivers should be aware that they may have the responsibility of filling the gaps if the child's parents are not interactive or if positive interactions have been limited. Both parents and early childhood teachers should help children use language to meet their emotional needs for communication and interaction. A bibliography of 20 books for infants and toddlers is appended. (MM)