Communication and Language
Communication and Language is central to children’s learning in the Early Years, because it underpins thinking, relationships and future success across the curriculum. We place great importance on developing children’s speaking, listening and understanding through high-quality interactions, storytelling, songs, nursery rhymes, conversations and role play. Adults model rich vocabulary and well-structured language, helping children to express their ideas, build confidence and become effective communicators.
Intent
Our intent is to develop confident, attentive and articulate communicators who can listen carefully, understand what they hear and express their ideas, needs and feelings clearly. We want children to build a rich vocabulary and strong language foundations that will support all future learning.
Implementation
ShREC approach
In our Early Years provision, we use the ShREC approach to support children’s speech, language and communication in a natural and purposeful way. ShREC stands for Share attention, Respond, Expand and Conversation. It guides adults to join children in their play and interests, respond carefully to their communication, extend their language and encourage sustained back-and-forth conversation. By using this approach across the day, we help children to build vocabulary, deepen understanding and grow in confidence as communicators.
