“A language-rich environment is one in which adults talk with children throughout the day.”

(The Reading Framework, 2021)

Our aims for learning and teaching within speaking and listening are to enable children to:

• Listen to and make sense of what they hear;

• Follow verbal instructions, with or without non-verbal cues;

• Understand what good listening is;

· Know how to respond during discussions, conversations and when information is given or asked for;

• Use communication, including talk, to communicate their needs and to develop and express their ideas;

• Develop the skills of turn-taking and working collaboratively with others;

Ways to support your child:

• Engage in discussion and conversation with your child as often as possible – start with something they are interested in!

• Encourage your child to ask questions in full sentences – model the correct way of saying something and encourage your child to copy you

• Engage in imaginary play with your child – they might want you to be a princess or a monster living in a cave but as they are explaining the game and the characters to you they are developing their Oracy skills

• Give instructions in clear steps – start with 1 step at a time and as their understanding develops, make instructions more complex so they have to listen really carefully

• Talk about a film or programme you have watched together or ask your child to explain a game they have played on their games console

• Play board games together (great practice for taking turns) and discuss the rules – are there any that you would change? Why? How would it make the game better? Is it still fair?

• When you are walking or driving or on the bus, describe what you can see and encourage your child to do the same.