ECaT - Every Child a Talker:

Every Child a Talker is designed to strengthen children's early language development by improving the quality of language provision in early years settings and at home

It may seem an obvious thing to say, but one of the best things we can do with young children is to have interesting and enjoyable conversations with them. What this means is that as we go about our activities, whether at home , or out and about, we should make a special effort to answer children's questions, point out things that interest us, involve children in helping and planning what to do next - whether that's putting out things to play, tidying up, where to visit or whatever. When reading a book with children, make a special effort to read slowly, with lots of fun and expression. Don't worry about stopping if the children ask you questions. Encourage them to join in with the sounds and rhythms of the story.

We should also think carefully about how we speak to children – do we spend too much of the day issuing commands: 'do this', 'do that'? Do we ever say things that make children seem small by telling them that they're slow or not good enough? We all need to think how we can keep being positive, encouraging them as they try to say things.

And we can find ways of showing them how the things they say can end up as writing, by writing what they say and displaying it. When we do this, this has to include everyone. No one can be missed out.

All this is crucial for how young children develop their powers of thinking and understanding. At the same time, it's how they get to feel good about themselves. The two things are intertwined – feeling good about yourself, feeling confident enough to develop your thinking and understanding.

We wholeheartedly support Every Child a Talker, and I’m sure it'll help all of us working with young children to focus on what will help every single child develop.