What is it?
Communication and language approaches emphasise the importance of spoken language and verbal interaction for young children. They are based on the idea that children’s language development benefits from approaches that explicitly support communication through talking, verbal expression, modelling language and reasoning. Communication and language approaches used in the early years include reading aloud to children and discussing books, explicitly extending children’s spoken vocabulary by introducing them to new words in context, and drawing attention to letters and sounds. They also include approaches more directly aimed at developing thinking and understanding through language, such as ‘sustained shared thinking‘ or ‘guided interaction’. Approaches usually involve an early years professional, kindergarten teacher or teaching assistant, who has been trained in the approach, working with a small group of children or individually to develop spoken language skills.
How effective is it?
Overall, studies of communication and language approaches consistently show positive benefits for young children’s learning, including their spoken language skills, their expressive vocabulary and their early reading skills. On average, children who are involved in communication and language approaches make approximately six months’ additional progress over the course of a year. All children appear to benefit from such approaches, but some studies show slightly larger effects for children from disadvantaged backgrounds.
Some types of communication and language approaches appear, on average, to be more effective than others. There is consistent evidence that reading to young children, and encouraging them to answer questions and talk about the story with a trained adult, is an effective approach. A number of studies show the benefits of programs where trained teaching assistants have supported both oral language and early reading skills.
Most studies comment on the importance of training and professional development, and supporting early years practitioners with the implementation of different approaches. There are indications that settings should use a range of different approaches to developing communication and language skills, as it is unlikely that one approach alone is enough to secure progress.
How secure is the evidence?
There is an extensive evidence base showing the impact of communication and language approaches, including a number of meta-analyses. The evidence is relatively consistent, suggesting that communication and language approaches can be successful in a variety of environments. Little is known about the long-term impact of communication and language approaches, so additional evidence about whether, and how to ensure that, benefits are maintained once children start school would be valuable.
A 2016 randomised controlled trial found a positive impact of four months’ additional progress for the Nuffield Early Language Intervention – a program designed to improve the spoken language ability of children during the transition from kindergarten to primary school.
What are the costs?
Generally, the costs associated with implementation of communication and language approaches in Early Learning and Care (ELC) services and pre-schools are for professional development and to purchase materials. These costs vary greatly and are dependent on employment conditions and location. For example, costs to the employer for a relief teacher per hour can be from $35 to $70; a certificate trained educator $19 - $35 per hour; plus, employment indirect costs. Costs for resources and materials are generally low. Research indicates that a teacher or educators’ knowledge of literacy pedagogy and children’s literacy development are important. As a result, professional development should be strongly considered when implementing communication and language approaches.
What should I consider?
How can you help children to articulate and express their ideas and experiences verbally?
What training will adults involved received to ensure they are able to model and develop children’s spoken language skills?
How can you link children’s spoken language to the development of their writing and reading skills?
Combining a range of communication and language approaches is likely to be more effective than a single approach. How will you ensure that children are exposed to a range of different strategies?
