Communication is key

The developmental benefits that young children can reap from growing up in a 'positive communication environment'.

It will come as no surprise to those working in the early years sector, but a recent study has highlighted the developmental benefits young children can reap from growing up in a ‘positive communication environment’ – this environment defined by the number of books available to the child, the frequency of trips to the library, parental interaction, the number of toys available, how long the television is left on, and attendance at an early years setting.

The study was led by Professor Sue Roulstone of the University of the West of England, and looked at data from the University of Bristol’s Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children, which showed that children whose communication skills were nurtured exhibited a better expressive vocabulary by their second birthday. Said children subsequently went on to achieve higher test marks in language, reading and maths. Interestingly, the communication environment was also found to be a better predictor of attainment in language than social background. Download the full report at tinyurl.com/3cljjro