This guide shares some key things that ERO learned about oral language development in the early years. It also has some questions for parents and whānau to ask their service or school, to get involved in this important part of their child’s learning.
Explore related documents that you might be interested in.
Language is the foundation for childrenâs learning and success. Children use oral language to become good thinkers and communicators, and to develop the reading and writing skills they need to achieve well in school and beyond. ERO wanted to know about how oral language is developing for children in the early years, what teachers are doing, and how teachers are being supported.Â
We looked at national and international research about what works. Then we talked to ECE services, schools, experts, and parents and whÄnau, to understand what support for childrenâs oral language development in the early years looks like.Â
What is oral language?Â
Oral language is how we use spoken words to expressâŻideas, knowledge, and feelings. Developing oral language involves developing the skills and knowledge that go into listening and speaking. These skills are important foundations for learning how to read and write.Â
Language is the foundation for childrenâs learning and success. Children use oral language to become good thinkers and communicators, and to develop the reading and writing skills they need to achieve well in school and beyond. ERO wanted to know about how oral language is developing for children in the early years, what teachers are doing, and how teachers are being supported.Â
We looked at national and international research about what works. Then we talked to ECE services, schools, experts, and parents and whÄnau, to understand what support for childrenâs oral language development in the early years looks like.Â
What is oral language?Â
Oral language is how we use spoken words to expressâŻideas, knowledge, and feelings. Developing oral language involves developing the skills and knowledge that go into listening and speaking. These skills are important foundations for learning how to read and write.Â
Most childrenâs oral language is developing well, but there is a group who struggle, and Covid-19 has made this worse.Â
A large Aotearoa New Zealand study found that 80 percent of five-year-old children are doing well with their oral language, but 20 percent are struggling. This matches what teachers told ERO too. Half of parents and whÄnau reported to us their child has some difficulty with oral language in the early years. This matters because oral language is the foundation of literacy â for example, vocabulary at age 2 is strongly linked to literacy and numeracy at age 12.Â
Covid-19 has had a big impact on language development â here and around the world. Nearly two-thirds of teachers told ERO that Covid-19 has impacted childrenâs language development, especially the language skills needed for getting along well with others.Â
Quality ECE makes a difference, and itâs even better when parents and whÄnau work alongside teachers at ECE and school.Â
International studies find that quality ECE supports language development and can accelerate literacy by up to a year. Good ECE and good learning at school involves teachers working with parents and whÄnau to help children learn and develop. However, ERO found that half of parents (53 percent) do not get information from their service about their childâs oral language progress.Â
Most childrenâs oral language is developing well, but there is a group who struggle, and Covid-19 has made this worse.Â
A large Aotearoa New Zealand study found that 80 percent of five-year-old children are doing well with their oral language, but 20 percent are struggling. This matches what teachers told ERO too. Half of parents and whÄnau reported to us their child has some difficulty with oral language in the early years. This matters because oral language is the foundation of literacy â for example, vocabulary at age 2 is strongly linked to literacy and numeracy at age 12.Â
Covid-19 has had a big impact on language development â here and around the world. Nearly two-thirds of teachers told ERO that Covid-19 has impacted childrenâs language development, especially the language skills needed for getting along well with others.Â
Quality ECE makes a difference, and itâs even better when parents and whÄnau work alongside teachers at ECE and school.Â
International studies find that quality ECE supports language development and can accelerate literacy by up to a year. Good ECE and good learning at school involves teachers working with parents and whÄnau to help children learn and develop. However, ERO found that half of parents (53 percent) do not get information from their service about their childâs oral language progress.Â
Lots of conversation and talking at home. This can involve asking about what your child is learning and about home activities, or singing, playing games, actively listening when they tell stories, and making good eye contact.Â
Getting children off devices. Screen time (TV, computers, phones, tablets, etc) can get in the way of their progress, so finding ways to minimise your childâs time with screens, and maximise their time talking with you and others, will make a big difference.Â
Lots of conversation and talking at home. This can involve asking about what your child is learning and about home activities, or singing, playing games, actively listening when they tell stories, and making good eye contact.Â
Getting children off devices. Screen time (TV, computers, phones, tablets, etc) can get in the way of their progress, so finding ways to minimise your childâs time with screens, and maximise their time talking with you and others, will make a big difference.Â
These questions could be useful to discuss with service or school staff.Â
These questions could be useful to discuss with service or school staff.Â