Early Years Evidence Store: Communication and Language Development

The Education Endowment Foundation provides an evidence-based framework for improving communication and language development in early childhood education. This resource highlights that children’s progress depends on intentional adult engagement through diverse strategies such as interactive reading, collaborative talk, and the modelling of vocabulary. Research indicates that using a multimodal approach is essential, as individual techniques are most effective when combined to support a child’s linguistic and cognitive growth. These interventions are universally beneficial but prove especially vital for children from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds who may face initial developmental gaps. Furthermore, the guidance stresses the importance of individualised assessment and recommends seeking specialist speech therapy when specific learning obstacles are identified. Overall, the text serves as a practical guide for educators to foster confidence and effective expression in young learners.