Education Endowment Foundation:Toddlers’ language development: major new report reveals key predictors of later abilities

Toddlers’ language development: major new report reveals key predictors of later abilities

A new review of the evidence on early language development, commissioned by the EEF in partnership with Public Health England and published today, has examined the most effective ways to support young children with delays in their early language development.
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EEF
EEF
Press Release •2 minutes •

A new review of the evidence on early language development, commissioned by the EEF in partnership with Public Health England and published today, has examined the most effective ways to support young children with delays in their early language development.

A team of researchers, led by Professor James Law from Newcastle University looked at the existing evidence to find out which interventions have the greatest potential for boosting toddlers’ language skills and reducing inequalities in outcomes. They also summarised the existing literature on language development. According to the report:

  • children’s gestures, such as pointing, are key to their early language development; 
  • toddlers need to be using between 50 and 100 words before they start putting words together, a skill that can be a better predictor of later abilities than the number of words used; 
  • at some point between the ages of two and three, children typically start to produce longer, more complex sentences.

However, the most recent figures suggest that between 7 – 14% of children struggle with language before school starts. This can hold back their reading and writing ability later in school.

The researchers identified a series of intervention studies which have had positive results on developing language skills. They found one of the best ways to improve early language development for this group is through training for teachers in early years settings so that they can deliver cost-effective and evidence based interventions to those children who have fallen behind

In addition to high-quality early years provision, the researchers identify interactions with parents as key. They highlight at need to promote positive interaction between parents and their children before they get to nursery at 2 – 3 years

The report also stresses the need for better monitoring of children’s progress at different stages of their development, to catch those children falling behind and to identify those who need targeted, specialist support

Today’s evidence review will inform guidance on early years literacy teaching, due to be published later this year

Notes to editors

  1. The Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) is a grant-making charity set up in 2011 by the Sutton Trust as lead foundation in partnership with Impetus Trust (now part of Impetus – The Private Equity Foundation), with a £125m founding grant from the Department for Education. The EEF is dedicated to breaking the link between family income and educational achievement. Since its launch the EEF has awarded £89 million to test the impact of 145 projects reaching more than 970,000 children and young people in over 9,400 schools, nurseries and colleges across England. The EEF and Sutton Trust are, together, the government-designated What Works Centre for Education.