Spoken Language in the EYFS

What does Spoken Language look like in Early Years at Lathom Park?

At Lathom Park, we know that speaking and listening are the building blocks for all learning. That’s why developing strong spoken language skills is at the heart of everything we do in the Early Years.

In Nursery, we focus on building children’s confidence to communicate. Through songs, rhymes, stories, role play and lots of conversation, children are encouraged to talk, listen, take turns in conversation, and express their ideas clearly. We introduce and model new vocabulary all the time—helping children describe what they see, think and feel.

As children move into Reception, their vocabulary continues to grow. They are supported to speak in full sentences, ask and answer questions, and join in group discussions. They begin to use language to explain, describe, and build their thinking. We give children lots of chances to speak in different contexts—whether it’s presenting to the class, retelling a story, or chatting with a friend in the role play area.

By the end of Reception, children will:

• Listen carefully and respond to what others say;
  
  

• Express their ideas using full sentences and rich vocabulary;
  
  

• Use talk to help them think, explain and solve problems.