Early Years Language

Language development is an important part of child development.  Speech and language development includes the ability to listen, understand and communicate verbally and non-verbally. There are many ways in which this skillset is beneficial to children:

It supports your child’s ability to communicate and:-

• It enables children to communicate their needs better (and therefore reduces frustration)
• think and learn and solve problems
• develop and maintain relationships.
• It helps children make sense of the world around them
• it helps build confidence 

Learning to understand, use and enjoy language is the first step in literacy, and the basis for learning to read and write.  

A child's speech, language and communication skills may be monitored in following four areas:-

• Receptive language: understanding the meaning of words, sentences and conversations;
• Expressive language: conveying meaning using words and sentences;
• Pragmatic language: learning how to use language socially, for example learning to take
  turns in conversation;
• Speech production: the ability to say speech sounds and words correctly so that they can
  be understood by others.

Speech, language and communication skills are closely linked to educational attainment and the ability to play a full role in society; and form lasting friendships and relationships.

We have provided below some information links on Early Language Support:-