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The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework sets the standards for learning, development and care for children from birth to age five in England. It ensures that all young children receive a strong foundation for future learning in a safe, supportive and stimulating environment.
You can read the full statutory framework on the UK Government website here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/early-years-foundation-stage-framework--2
Within the EYFS, communication and language is one of the three prime areas of learning. It underpins all other areas of development and plays a vital role in shaping children’s confidence, relationships and academic success.
What is communication and language development in EYFS?
Communication and language is a prime area of learning in the EYFS. Prime areas are the most essential building blocks for a child’s development because they support progress across all other areas, including literacy, personal development and understanding the world.
Communication and language development focuses on:
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Listening and attention
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Understanding
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Speaking
From babbling as babies to forming full sentences in Reception, children’s communication skills develop through repeated, meaningful interactions with adults and peers.
How children’s vocabulary develops
Language development does not happen by chance. It is built through hundreds of hours of responsive interaction.
Research from the Education Endowment Foundation highlights the strong link between early language development and later academic outcomes: https://educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk/education-evidence/teaching-learning-toolkit/oral-language-interventions
Typically:
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By age 1, children recognise around 50 words
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By age 3, they recognise approximately 1,000 words
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By age 5, this can grow to around 10,000 words
The more words a child hears and engages with, the broader their vocabulary becomes.
Why early speech development is so important
The Department for Education emphasises that high-quality adult-child interactions are crucial to early development. Early spoken language forms the foundation for:
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Reading and writing
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Emotional regulation
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Social interaction
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Problem-solving skills
The Better Communication Research Programme (DfE) also outlines the long-term importance of early speech, language and communication: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/better-communication-research-programme
A language-rich environment enables children to hear new vocabulary in different contexts, helping them understand and use it confidently.
The Early Learning Goals for communication and language
At the end of the Reception year, children are assessed against the EYFS Early Learning Goals (ELGs).
For communication and language, there are two key aspects:
Listening, attention and understanding
Children at the expected level of development will:
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Listen attentively and respond appropriately
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Ask questions to clarify understanding
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Make comments about what they have heard
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Engage in back-and-forth conversations
Speaking
Children at the expected level will:
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Participate in discussions
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Use recently introduced vocabulary
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Offer explanations
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Express ideas and feelings in full sentences
Full assessment criteria can be found within the statutory EYFS documentation linked above.
Creating a communication-supportive environment
Speech and Language UK advise that the physical environment, adult strategies and opportunities for practice all contribute to strong communication development: https://speechandlanguage.org.uk/
A communication-supportive setting includes:
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Quiet, cosy spaces for conversation
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Purpose-built role play areas
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Visual timetables
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Clearly labelled resources
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Frequent opportunities for discussion
Adults should model language slightly above the child’s current level, expand on children’s ideas and allow thinking time.
Supporting children with SEND and EAL
The EYFS must be adapted to ensure children with SEND can achieve well.
Guidance on inclusive early years practice can be found via: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/send-code-of-practice-0-to-25
For children with English as an additional language, valuing and maintaining their home language supports long-term communication success.
Bringing it all together
Communication and language development underpins everything in the EYFS.
By prioritising rich interactions, ambitious vocabulary and meaningful conversations, early years practitioners lay the foundation for:
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Literacy success
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Emotional wellbeing
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Positive relationships
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Academic achievement
When communication is strong, children are better equipped to express themselves, understand others and engage meaningfully with the world around them.
