Oral Communication
We recognise that the Early Years are a crucial time for children to develop their oral communication skills and so have a number of strategies in place to help children develop their speaking and extend their vocabulary:
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Children enjoy independent play in stimulating environments both outdoors and indoors in areas which promote communication as children play together.
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Adults model key phrases and vocabulary for children during independent play, as well as providing thought-provoking questions to develop children’s curiosity and engagement in learning.
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During taught sessions we encourage children to share ideas with a talk partner or within a small group. The strong focus we place on building relationships is key to feeling comfortable to speak within a group.
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Careful and considered planning of open ended questions and tasks is completed, in order to challenge and extend children’s ideas and thought processes.
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Opportunities are abundant in all curriculum areas for children to discuss ideas and share their thoughts with others.
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Children are encouraged to join in with and learn stories and songs, often with the help of actions or visual stimuli; this builds confidence and allows children to retell them and answer questions about them.
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Vocabulary is developed through modelled use within the learning environments, explicit teaching and practising topic related vocabulary.
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Parents are encouraged to recognise the importance of oral communication through weekly talking homework questions
Click the button below for useful resources to help you support your child's communication and language development at home.
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This NHS website provides lots of useful advice to support parents during pregnancy, birth and parenthood:
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