Communication and Language Development

By the time children leave Small Wonders Preschool we want them to;

Be able to express themselves using a range of language skills, ask questions, describe, comment,

express their thoughts and verbally respond in reciprocal conversation.

All staff complete a speech, language and communication awareness course to provide them with

the underpinning knowledge to support communication and language. We provide a language rich

environment exposing children to language through conversations, commenting, naming, modelling,

introducing new vocabulary and allowing enough time for children to process information and

respond. Staff talk to children giving them eye contact and using gestures to support their

understanding, we also come down to their level to share in their play. Children are encouraged to

talk with their peers through small and large group activities. We introduce new vocabulary through

stories, singing and our themes in practical and meaningful ways

Have good listening skills and high levels of involvement and focus. Be able to listen to,

understand and follow instructions.

Our routines support the all important skills of listening and understanding as our sessions provide

large group, small group, adult supported and child’s free play opportunities. We provide singing,

stories, poems, rhymes and role play opportunities to expand vocabulary and share ideas. Children

are encouraged to listen to each other and adults and take their turn in speaking. We encourage

children to recall stories and participate in repeated refrains at story times. Young children are

encouraged to share books. Our motivating and challenging activities encourage involvement and

prolonged focus. Our routines do not disturb play or interrupt activity allowing children the

opportunity to play for prolonged periods. We have free flow play for the majority of the day

stopping only for group time before lunch and at the end of the day.

Communication and Language Aspects - Listening, attention and understanding and Speaking

2-3 yrs assessment and monitoring milestones

• Listening and responding to simple instructions such as find your coat

• Can make choices between 2 objects e.g do you want the ball or the car, milk or water.

• Listen to others talk with interest but can be easily distracted.

• Can use up to 50 words

• Putting two or three words together

• Understands more words than they use, between 200-500 words

• Understands and responds to simple questions such as where is your hat or what is the boy

doing in the picture.

• Understands some action words such as who is jumping. Can you make teddy jump

• Starting to develop focus and attention when the activity is of interest

• Listen to simple stories and understands what is happening with the help of pictures or

props.

• Uses speech sounds p,b,m,w Pronounce: l/r/w/y f/th s/sh/ch/dz/j

3-4yrs assessment and monitoring milestones

• Shift attention from one task to another if you get their attention.

• Pay attention to more than one thing at a time.

• Use around 300 words

• Use descriptive language

• Forming sentences linking 4 to 6 words together

• Uses pronouns such as me, him, she and Using prepositions such as in, on under

• Uses linking words such as or, because, and

• Uses correct grammatical words and endings e.g sleep, slept, sleeping

• Using future and past tense

• Can answer simple why questions

• Initiate conversation with adults or friends and continue for many turns

• Use talk to extend play, convey ideas

• Can be understood by unfamiliar adults. Clarity of speech is good.

• Join in with large group time activities without support. Giving attention to activity

• asks questions, answers questions

• will recall events