EARLY YEARS BLOG
Communication is the cornerstone of our interactions, shaping relationships, academic success, and future opportunities. Therefore, as parents, we naturally want to equip our children with the tools to express themselves confidently and effectively. But how can we best support their communication development? To begin with, read some of our tips below and find out what we do in Early Years at Farringtons Prep School to support this.
Why communication skills matter
- Building relationships: Strong communication fosters meaningful connections with peers, family, and teachers
- Academic success: Clear articulation and comprehension are essential for understanding concepts and participating in class
- Emotional wellbeing: Expressing feelings and needs helps children manage emotions and build resilience
- Future opportunities: Effective communication is a vital skill in the workplace and beyond
Practical tips for parents
- Engage in frequent conversations: Make time for daily chats, even brief ones. Ask open-ended questions that encourage detailed responses
- Read together regularly: Reading aloud exposes children to rich vocabulary and diverse sentence structures. Discuss the story and characters
- Encourage storytelling: Ask your child to retell events or create their own stories. This enhances their narrative skills
- Listen actively: Pay attention to what your child is saying, maintain eye contact, and avoid interrupting
- Model good communication: Use clear and concise language and demonstrate respectful listening
- Play games: Board games, charades and storytelling games can make practicing communication skills fun
- Limit screen time: Encourage face-to-face interactions instead of relying solely on digital communication
How Farringtons supports communication skills IN EARLY YEARS
At Farringtons Prep School, we understand the importance of fostering strong communication skills from an early age. Consequently, our approach is designed to create a nurturing and stimulating environment where children feel confident to express themselves.
- Creative Literacy Explorers Programme: We foster a love of reading through our engaging literacy programme and encourage creative writing, which enhances vocabulary and expression
- Emphasis on oracy: We prioritise developing spoken language through activities like show and tell, class discussions and presentations
- Small class sizes: This allows for personalised attention and ample opportunities for children to participate in discussions
- Dedicated teachers: Our experienced teachers provide tailored support and guidance, helping each child develop their communication abilities
- Public speaking opportunities: From class presentations to school assemblies, children are given opportunities to develop their public speaking skills. From Year 3 all children take their English-Speaking Board Exams
- Debating and discussion: As the children progress through the school, debating and discussion are encouraged to develop logical thought and clear articulation
Find out more about Early Years.
