Learning and Development
Communication and Language
The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage - Educational Programme for Communication & Language sets out activities and experiences that must be provided for children from birth to five.
Early years foundation stage (EYFS) statutory framework - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
Resources to support the Communication and Language curriculum
- Bolton's Communication and Language Pathway
- The Early Communication and Language Journey
- Tips to promote communication and language development
- Five Golden Rules
- Routine cards to share with parents to support the home learning environment
- Language Through Listening
- Speech and Language UK resources
- Early years: resources and tools for early language development and parental engagement | National Literacy Trust
- Early language and communication development support for families at home chat play read booklet | National Literacy Trust
- Activities walk and talk trail | Words for Life
- Better Health Start for Life – Little Moments Together - YouTube
- Little Moments Together Cards | Words for Life
- Speech Sounds Fact Sheet from I CAN
- Communication and language - Help for early years providers - GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
- Ofsted short webinars: Early years curriculum - a focus on communication and language
Communication friendly environment resources
- Bolton Communication Friendly Environments - Setting Audit
- Communication and Language Hot / Cold Spots
- ECAT Supporting Communication in the Environment
- Communication Classroom Supporting Observation Tool (Speech and Language UK)
Using Blank Level Questions
- Find out more about Blank Level Questions from Twinkl
- Blank Level Questions Linked to Start Well Stories Find out more about the Start Well Stories
- Using Blank Level Questions with other books
Blank is a concept that people tend to need some support and training to fully understand. Elklan training is the ideal way to fully understand the concept. Bolton EYCLDS offer Elklan training annually, get in touch to find out more or keep an eye on the course booking page for more information.
Screen time resources
- Our Kids, Their Screens, The Evidence | YouTube - Watch Now (1h 30m)
- Health Professionals for Safer Screens: Resources for Professionals
- Communication and Language Top Tip: Screentime
- Internet Matters: balancing screen time, top tips to support children in early years (0-5)
- Screen Time: EAD Children and Screen Infant-Cognitive-Development at a glance
Quality interaction resources
- Bolton guidance for observing quality interactions in your early years setting
- Interaction observation with young children - Bolton recording template
- Interaction observation with older children - Bolton recording template
- ECAT Adult/child interaction evaluation
- Interactions - Help for early years providers - GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
- The ShREC approach - Four evidence informed strategies to promote high quality interactions EEF (educationendowmentfoundation.org.uk)
- ShREC poster - Listening to children and having conversations with them
Supporting bilingual and multilingual children and families
- Multilingual training opportunities
- English as an Additional Language (EAL) - Help for early years providers - GOV.UK (education.gov.uk)
- Working with Children who have English as an Additional Language Information Guide
- Supporting Children Learning English as an Additional Language - Reflective Audit
- Early Language and Communication Development Support for Families at Home 'Chat Play Read' Booklet | National Literacy Trust - available in 18 languages including written and voiceover recordings.
- Activities Walk and Talk Trail | Words for Life Available in 18 languages including written and voiceover recordings.
Ditch the Dummy Resources
The Bolton Dummy Heroes are back!
You are welcome to include the suggested text below in your usual communications with parents or click on the poster below for a downloadable version to share.
The Dummy Heroes are back!
Come along with your child to meet the dummy heroes and swap your child’s dummy for a medal and a prize!
You can also get some top tips about helping your child give up their dummy, if they are not yet ready.
Children of all ages are welcome!
The heroes will also be available to talk to you about your child’s speech, language, and communication development and keeping their mouth and teeth healthy.
High Street Library
74 High Street, Bolton, BL3 6SZ
Monday 13 April 2026
11:30am - 1:00pm
Breightmet Library
Breightmet Health Centre, Bolton, BL2 6NT
Wednesday 15 April 2026
10:00am – 11:30am
Please contact the Early Years Communication and Language Development Service (EYCLDS) on 01204 338349 for further information.
