Communication and language

Communication and language is one of the three prime areas. The development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development.

Interactions

Children’s back-and-forth interactions from an early age form the foundations for language and mental development. The number and quality of the conversations they have with adults and other children throughout the day in a language-rich environment is crucial. By commenting on what children are doing or interested in and echoing back what they say with new vocabulary added, you will build children’s language effectively. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage

Learn more about interactions.

Exploring language

Through conversation, story-telling and role play, where children share their ideas with support and modelling from their teacher, and sensitive questioning that invites them to elaborate, children become comfortable using a rich range of vocabulary and language structures. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage

Learn more about exploring language. 

Listening and understanding

By commenting on what children are interested in or doing, and echoing back what they say with new vocabulary added, practitioners will build children’s language effectively. Reading frequently to children, and engaging them actively in stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems, and then providing them with extensive opportunities to use and embed new words in a range of contexts, will give children the opportunity to thrive. Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage

Learn more about listening and understanding.

Resources

Birth to 5 Matters resources for communication and language.

Development Matters guidance for communication and language.

Speech and Language UK have a resource library and other tools to help you support children who struggle with talking and understanding words.

The Children's Therapy Service Southampton is where you will find information about children’s communication skills from 0-19 years, covering all areas of speech, language and social communication development

The Speech, Language and Communication Framework (SLCF) is a free online professional development tool which sets out the key skills and knowledge needed by the children and young people's workforce to support the speech, language and communication development of all children and young people.

Every Child a Talker (ECaT) is a speech, language and communication programme. It aims to raise children’s achievement in early language and literacy. As well as improve practitioner’s skills and increase parental understanding and involvement.

Speech and Language Schools Assistants (SALSA) work with schools to compliment the hard work already taking place to identify and support pupils with Speech, Language and Communication Needs (SLCN).