At New Shoots, we believe every child is born with the potential to be a confident communicator. Oral Language development starts from conception and as parents you play a key role in this exciting journey.

Why Oral Language Matters:

Language is the foundation for thinking, reading and writing. By building strong communication skills early, your child is more likely to succeed in school and beyond.

The Education Review Office (ERO) highlighted the importance of oral language development in young children in their report released in August 2024. The report highlights that a child’s vocabulary at age 2 is a strong predictor of their future success in literacy and numeracy by age 12. It also shows that early difficulties in oral language can lead to challenges in reading comprehension later in school.

The report emphasises that Early Childhood Education (ECE) and strong home support are key to fostering language development. With the right support, children can thrive, but challenges like COVID-19 have impacted progress for some. Parents and educators working together can make a big difference in helping children build their language skills.

What can you do at home?

• Talk and respond: Have conversations with your baby. Even responding to coos and babbles helps them learn that communication is a two-way street.
  
• Read Together: Reading to your child from day one exposes them to the sounds, rhythms and patterns of language. It doesn’t matter if they flip through the pages super fast, your voice is the most important tool.
  
• Limit Screen Time: Screen time can interfere with the time spent engaging in meaningful conversations. Aim to minimise screens and maximise face to face interactions.
  
• Play with words: Singing songs, rhymes, playing peek-a-boo and naming objects during playtime are all simple ways to grow your child’s vocabulary.
  
• Supporting Multiple Languages: If your child is learning more than one language, celebrate that! Building skills in their home language will strengthen their ability to learn other languages, including English. Share with teachers how your child is progressing in all their languages.

What we do at New Shoots

We believe that every conversation, every story, and every word shared with a child is an opportunity to help them grow.

• Heartfelt Conversations: Our educators love getting to know your child through daily chats, encouraging them to express their thoughts, feelings, and curiosities. Every word builds confidence!
  
• Storytelling and reading: We read to children every day, creating interactive story times where books come alive and children are invited to share their own imaginative ideas.
  
• Language rich environments: Our classrooms are filled with books, enriching play set ups and resources, giving children constant exposure to new words and ideas.

We are passionate about helping your child find their voice, and we do it with love, care, and creativity. Through meaningful conversations, engaging stories, and playful learning experiences, we nurture children’s communication skills, building a strong foundation for lifelong learning.

Join us in creating a language-rich environment—at home and at New Shoots—where every moment is an opportunity for growth.

Learn, Explore and Connect with New Shoots:

Visit our website where you can discover our curriculum, vision, and commitment to sustainability.

And check out our Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest pages for news, ideas, and inspiration.