May 1st 2026
Communication and Language
It is at this time of year that the children experience a mixture of excitement as they prepare for the changes ahead, alongside the comfort of a familiar environment and well-established routines. They are increasingly confident in following classroom expectations and working alongside peers with whom they feel happy and secure. It never ceases to amaze me how well the children adapt to one another, accommodating each other’s special interests and individual characteristics. Very naturally, they demonstrate an awareness of how to treat one another and, in some cases, choose to give each other space when they recognise different play preferences. Human nature is fascinating, and even more so for the youngest children in the school, who are just beginning their journey of learning how to socialise, share, take turns, and advocate for themselves.
At the forefront of all learning is the importance of communication and language, which focuses on developing children’s ability to listen, understand, and speak. This includes listening and attention, where children learn to focus and respond appropriately; understanding, where they make sense of what they hear and follow instructions; and speaking, where they express their ideas, thoughts, and feelings using an increasingly rich vocabulary. Strong communication and language skills underpin all other areas of learning and are supported through interactions with adults, storytelling, conversations, and a language-rich environment.
Just today, I observed the Bobcats confidently sharing and talking about their socks, using increasingly descriptive vocabulary and expression, while children in Reception enjoyed show and tell and played together, navigating turn-taking and expressing their excitement at retelling the story of The Three Bears. While much of this development happens naturally within a busy Pre-Prep environment, as a team we also spend considerable time planning opportunities for children to practise and refine these skills. We hope that, as they move through the Pre-Prep they become increasingly able to express their needs clearly and thoughtfully. It is always such a joy to see hands shoot up eagerly to answer questions, or indeed singing with gusto during assembly and asking for a turn during Bikes and Trikes!
