Communication and language

Communication and language is paramount for children's learning and development. This area of development is broken into two aspects:

- Listening, attention and understanding

- Speaking                                           

The EYFS statutory framework states "The development of children’s spoken language underpins all seven areas of learning and development. Children’s back-and-forth interactions from an early age form the foundations for language and cognitive development. The number and quality of the conversations they have with adults and peers throughout the day in a language-rich environment is crucial. 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. 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." (DFE 2021)

Children in the EYFS have opportunities to develop their communication and language through daily interactions with adults, who role model language and scaffold their learning. The use of tier vocabulary, linked to the topic, encourages the children to develop an understanding of these words and use them in their everyday learning. 

Children have access to a range of stories, rhymes and songs throughout the day whether taught as a teaching session or through continuous provision.