Why a Little Effort is a Big Win: The Science Behind the Talking Picture Dictionary

TA-DA! Talking Books

Mar 18

Written By Michelle Glorieux

One Question I’ve Gotten More Than Once From Adults (And Not the Kids)

“I just got my Talking Picture Dictionary. The buttons are hard for me to activate. What’s the deal?”

When you start using the Talking Picture Dictionary, you may notice that activating the buttons requires deliberate effort. This is intentional. This is good!

The Talking Picture Dictionary is designed to engage both the hands and brains of users, which creates an unmatched multisensory learning experience that keeps on giving! Let me explain.

Think about when a toddler learns to button a shirt, tie their shoes, or even draw a line. It's challenging initially, but these efforts lead to significant learning and development.

Similarly, the deliberate pressing required by our dictionary enhances memory retention and helps children deeply internalize new vocabulary.

During our beta testing, we observed that children adapt quickly to this feature, naturally embracing the challenge without saying anything, while interestingly, adults often find it more demanding. It's a testament to the adaptability and eagerness of young learners, don’t you think?

How Does All This Benefit Your Child?

Studies show that a strong vocabulary sets kids up for success in math, science, and even foreign languages. But this book builds way more than language!

Here’s what’s happening every time they activate a word in the Talking Dictionary:

Stronger Fine Motor Skills – Each press improves finger dexterity, strengthening small hand muscles, crucial for writing and daily tasks.
Better Hand-Eye Coordination – Kids learn to find and press the right spot, sharpening spatial awareness and focus.
Boosted Memory – Engaging multiple senses—sight, touch, and hearing—leads to better and longer-lasting memory retention. (This one book activates more senses than anything else I’ve been able to find as both a mother - and language teacher.)
Fast-Tracked Language Learning – Science proves that a strong foundation in words skyrockets confidence and speeds up fluency.
Slows Them Down A Beat for Deeper Learning – Unlike screens, this book makes kids actively engage instead of just passive consuming. And honestly, we could all use a little more slow, hands-on learning these days.

See this? Every word has its own hidden activation spot—this is what makes the Talking Picture Dictionary work like magic. No downloads, no pen readers, no gimmicks—just real, purposeful design that brings words to life. (Oh, and fun fact: we patented this!)

A Teacher’s Initial Skepticism—And What Happened Next

At first, I found it hard to push. I wasn’t sure it was going to fly in class. But honestly, the kids had no problem. In fact, it’s been a huge connector and confidence builder for the group as a whole.

That’s what Angela, an ELL teacher in Irvine, CA, told us right after she got the Talking Picture Dictionary. And you know what? Weeks later, when I met with her in person to check in and see how things were going, Angela shared she no longer had any issues herself either. She had gotten to know her book.

More Than Just a Vocabulary Builder

There’s way more inside this book than just words. It’s packed with real cultural moments, American traditions, and authentic audio clips from history, including:

Neil Armstrong’s first words on the moon
Martin Luther King Jr.’s "I Have a Dream" speech
Celebrations like Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, and Christmas
Everyday American traditions—such as lemonade stands, trampolines, and treehouses

Oh, and did we mention 50+ built-in games that level up as kids learn?

Kids aren’t just reading words—they’re playing, laughing, and actually enjoying learning. Honestly? This is what keeps me moving forward, building this company.

The Bottom Line

Remember, ‘easy’ isn’t always better!

When kids get words, they get meaning. Suddenly, learning doesn’t feel so foreign. It feels good. They get it—and that feels amazing. And when learning feels good? They want more.

Somehow, we forgot to make language learning fun while we’re still kids. We forgot to start with the basics.

I couldn’t find anything like this—not for my students, not for their families, who kept asking me for help. And I knew it was needed.

I didn’t set out to start a business. I just wanted to create what kids need—what was missing.

One last thing… AGE!

Parents ask me all the time: What’s the right age for this?

Here’s the deal—it's safety-tested for ages 3+ because of the (hidden, screwdriver-secured) AAA batteries, but the pages are BIG for a reason: seek-and-find fun, immersive play, and better viewing of culture in context. Most kids start turning them independently around age 6. But don’t let that number stop you!

Start early. Like, womb early. Snuggle up, press the words together, and soak it all in. I’ve met so many parents at book fairs and events who tell me this has become their go-to bedtime favorite. The bonding, the fun—it’s all part of the magic.

And here’s a wild fact: the number of words a child knows when they start kindergarten can actually predict their future success. So why not start now? Enjoy it together—and watch the benefits unfold for a lifetime.

“We love the Talking Picture Dictionary! It has become our bedtime routine. Our two-year-old is obsessed with it. I can’t wait for the Spanish one.” — America Dinsmore