Ages 3-5 (EYFS)

Speech and language

In the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS), speech, language, and communication are the bedrock of all learning.

We use specific interaction techniques during child-led play:

• Ensuring eye contact and open body language to create a safe space for communication.
• The 4 S’s Strategy: Slow down, Simplify language, use Show (gestures/visuals), and Share the floor (give children plenty of time to process and respond).
• Commentary over Questioning: Instead of quizzing a child (“What colour is that car? What are you making?”), practitioners use narration (“Wow, you’re rolling the blue car down the fast ramp!”). This models vocabulary without putting pressure on the child to give a “correct” answer.

Children need to hear a word multiple times in different contexts before they own it. We use structured approaches to expand a child’s “word bank”:

• We Introduce specific, high-quality vocabulary linked to a weekly story or topic. Practitioners explicitly teach the word, act it out, define it simply, and encourage children to use it in their play.
• Tier 2 Vocabulary focus: Intentional focus on verbs and adjectives (e.g., enormous, scamper, cautious) rather than just naming nouns.

We explicitly teach listening, attention, and speaking skills.

We will set up Collaborative Tasks: Activities that require talk, such as working together.

• Guided Role-Play: Stepping into the dramatic play area (e.g., a mock doctor’s surgery or grocery store) to model the specific social language and turn-taking phrases needed for that scenario.

Early Identification and Intervention: We use the framework WellComm assessment to assess your child’s speech. If a child displays speech sounds difficulties, limited vocabulary, or understanding issues, we will let you know how support can be accessed.