This guide is comprised of activities designed to assist parents in facilitating the language development of typically developing children or children with communication problems, to assist teachers and child care providers in effectively communicating with preverbal children, and to assist speech/language professionals in including preverbal children in speech/language therapy. The bulk of the publication consists of 31 calendar diary pages describing learning activities to use with preverbal children, including space to record notes about the activity performed over a 2-month period and an extra diary page to copy for additional activities. The guide lists problems that interfere with parents helping their children learn to talk. A section of the guide answers frequently asked questions by parents and professionals, including: (1) the importance of appropriate information about and expectations for the social and communication development of children with delays; (2) the importance of "people play"; (3) becoming a play partner with children; (4) helping children to initiate communication; (5) communicating nonverbally; and (6) imitating children's behavior. Also included are a monthly parent progress check, a monthly child progress check, and a list of training materials for parents and professionals available from the Family Child Learning Center or from the Communicating Partners Clinic. (KB)