1.2 Describe the relationship between an effective communication curriculum and positive benefits for all children in early years settings, including their spoken language skills, their understanding of language, and their early reading skills, including for children from disadvantaged backgrounds

This guide will help you answer 1.2 Describe the relationship between an effective communication curriculum and positive benefits for all children in early years settings, including their spoken language skills, their understanding of language, and their early reading skills, including for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.

An effective communication curriculum in early years is fundamental for children’s development. It directly impacts their spoken language, understanding of language, and early reading skills. This applies to all children, including those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Such a curriculum provides opportunities for meaningful interactions and equips children with essential skills to engage with the world around them. Let’s look at how this works in practice.

Spoken Language Skills

Spoken language is one of the first ways children communicate. An effective communication curriculum supports this by providing rich opportunities for children to hear, practise, and use language.

Strategies That Support Spoken Language

1. Modelling language: Adults can model clear language by speaking slowly and using child-friendly words. This helps children mimic and expand their vocabulary.
2. Open-ended questions: Asking questions that require more than a “yes” or “no” answer encourages children to think and express themselves more deeply.
3. Repetition and reinforcement: When adults repeat words and phrases, children become more familiar with them. Praise and encouragement also build children’s confidence in speaking.

Key Benefits of Improved Spoken Language Skills

• Better social skills: Children can form friendships and participate in group activities if they can express themselves.
• Greater confidence: Speaking clearly helps children feel valued and understood.
• Enhanced learning: Strong verbal skills support learning across all areas of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

Building Understanding of Language

Understanding language is equally important for children’s overall growth. Effective curriculums build comprehension skills by helping children recognise patterns, learn meanings, and interpret conversations.

Supporting Language Understanding in Practice

1. Storytelling: Reading stories with simple, repetitive phrases helps children link words with ideas. Asking them to predict what happens next keeps them engaged.
2. Interactive games: Games like “Simon Says” or matching objects to spoken instructions strengthen their ability to follow directions.
3. Everyday conversations: Speaking to children about everyday activities, like cooking or dressing, allows them to connect words with real-life contexts.

Key Benefits of Language Understanding

• Improved listening: When children understand spoken words, they pay better attention in settings such as group activities.
• Cognitive development: Comprehension forms the basis for critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Foundation for reading: Strong understanding of language helps with recognising written words and their meanings later on.

Early Reading Skills

Pre-reading activities are an integral part of a communication curriculum. They prepare children for learning to read by building phonics, fluency, and vocabulary knowledge.

How Early Reading Is Supported

1. Phonics activities: Children learn to hear and match sounds to letters, such as recognising that “c” sounds like “cat.”
2. Shared reading experiences: Adults reading aloud demonstrate pronunciation and rhythm, which helps children connect spoken and written language.
3. Print-rich environments: Displays like posters, labelled items, or alphabet charts allow children to see written words in their daily setting.

Key Benefits of Early Reading Skills

• Strengthened literacy: When children know the basics of phonics and vocabulary, they transition easily into formal reading.
• Independent learning: Reading lets children explore new ideas and gain knowledge by themselves.
• Long-term academic achievements: Research links early reading skills to better academic outcomes later in primary school.

Children from Disadvantaged Backgrounds

Children facing economic or social challenges often start with limited language exposure. A strong communication curriculum helps narrow gaps, ensuring these children develop on par with their peers.

How the Curriculum Helps Disadvantaged Children

• Access to resources: Early years settings offer books, storytelling sessions, and guided activities, which may be absent at home.
• Equal opportunities: All children, regardless of background, benefit from structured activities that teach communication skills.
• Role of key adults: Practitioners can identify gaps early and provide extra support through interventions like small groups or one-to-one sessions.

Positive Impacts on Disadvantaged Children

1. Reducing inequality: A targeted focus on communication ensures more children enter Key Stage 1 equipped to succeed.
2. Encouraging resilience: New words and skills help disadvantaged children keep up socially and academically.
3. Supporting parents: Settings often involve parents in learning, showing them how to extend activities at home.

Role of Practitioners in Delivering the Curriculum

Practitioners play a crucial part in making communication curriculum effective. This involves creating engaging environments, planning meaningful activities, and embedding communication opportunities in daily practice.

Practical Tips for Practitioners

• Use songs, rhymes, and stories to make language fun.
• Keep expectations realistic and adapt activities as needed.
• Speak clearly, especially for children learning English as an additional language (EAL).
• Incorporate cultural experiences to reflect diverse backgrounds.

Practitioners must regularly observe children. This ensures learning is progressing and identifies any language delays. Interventions can then be introduced early to support those who need it.

Inclusive Communication

An effective curriculum ensures inclusivity. This supports children with special educational needs (SEND) and those who may have limited exposure to structured language development.

Adapting Communication Activities

1. Visual aids: Pictures, visual schedules, or sign language support those who struggle with spoken words.
2. Tactile methods: Sensory activities, such as using textured letters or sound buttons, are highly effective.
3. Use of technology: Simple tools like talking apps or interactive whiteboards can enhance engagement for all abilities.

Social and Emotional Growth

When all children feel included in conversations and activities, their emotional well-being improves. They feel heard and valued, which directly supports their willingness to engage and learn.

How Parents Can Contribute

Parents and caregivers are key partners in promoting communication skills. Early years settings can guide families in creating language-rich homes.

Practical Ideas for Parents

• Read to children daily, using books that match their interests.
• Describe daily activities like brushing teeth or grocery shopping.
• Limit screen time and encourage conversations during family meals.

When parents support communication at home, children make faster progress. This benefits not just their academic skills but also enhances the bond between child and caregiver.

Long-Term Benefits of an Effective Communication Curriculum

The benefits of strong communication skills extend beyond early years. Children who develop these skills are more likely to succeed socially, emotionally, and academically.

Holistic Development

• Supports transition to school: Strong language skills help children adapt to the structured environment of primary school.
• Leads to better mental health: When children feel equipped to express emotions and ideas, it supports positive emotional well-being.
• Improves future prospects: Communication is a foundational skill for further education, employment, and relationships.

Conclusion

An effective communication curriculum is the cornerstone of early years education. It enriches spoken language, deepens comprehension, and builds pre-reading skills. These benefits are felt by all children but are especially important for those facing disadvantage. By focusing on communication, practitioners and families help children gain the skills they need to thrive both in school and throughout life.