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Communication is key
in the Early Years
Communication and language is one of the three prime areas in the Early
Years Foundation Stage. At The Ark we recognise the importance of this and
have spent a lot of time researching and training around this area of learning.
We would like to share with you some top tips and strategies to support this
area of learning.
1. Make sure that you have the child’s attention
when you are communicating with them. Get
down to their level and ensure that they are
looking at you. This way they will be able to pick
up on any non-verbal communications, such as
actions, facial expressions or gestures that could
support the understanding of what is being said.
2. When giving instructions make sure that they
are clear and given one at a time in the order
it needs to take place. If they find it hard to
understand then give instructions one at a time
with gestures.
3. When communicating with children make sure
they have time to think and respond. At nursery
we follow a 10 second rule where we wait
and listen for up to 10 seconds for a child to
respond. Try it and see what happens.
4. Ask fewer questions and commentate play. For
example, instead of asking “What colour is that
car” when a child is playing with a toy car, say
“A red car”. This method supports children’s
learning and development and gives them the
confidence to use the language in context.
5. Repeat what a child has said adding clarity
where needed and more words. For example if
a child is playing with a yellow car and they say
“Yewoah” then repeat “Yes, yellow car” with a
big smile on your face.
“The first five years have
so much to do with how the
next 80 turn out”
Bill Gates Sr., co-chair of the Bill
and Melinda Gates Foundation
22 To advertise call 07976 289967 or 07974 434793 or email sales@streetwisemag.co.uk