TWiTCH (Talk With Tales for Children) – pilot

Sheffield Hallam University
Project info

Independent Evaluator

Durham University logo
Durham University

TWiTCH is a professional development programme that combines dialogic reading of stories and dialogic interaction to improve language outcomes.

Pupils: 225 Schools: 25 Grant: £77,478
Key Stage: EY Type of Trial: Pilot Study
Completed June 2026

Talk With Tales for Children (TWiTCH) is a professional development programmeA programme is a package of support, including professional development, that helps early years educators to improve particular areas of practice and children’s outcomes. for nursery practitioners in both maintained and private, voluntary and independent (PVI) settings. The programme aims to improve the language and communication skills of three- and four-year olds through enhanced, high-quality interactions during storytime, using a dialogic pedagogy approach. 

Practitioners are trained to deliver nine themed, three-week story cycles using familiar fairy tales in small-group sessions. These cycles include dialogic reading prompts, choice-based reasoning activities, and continuous provision. Targeted support is provided for children identified as being ​‘in need’.

Each setting appoints a TWiTCH Champion to coordinate delivery and engage in regular network meetings to share learning and best practice. TWiTCH Coaches provide six hours on on-site training, along with ongoing coaching and support throughout the programme.

EEF summary

As part of the Department for Education’s Early Years Recovery Programme, the Education Endowment Foundation (EEF) partnered with Stronger Practice Hubs across England to fund early years settings’ access to evidence-informed programmes and evaluate their impact on practice and children’s outcomes. This initiative was designed to support education recovery following the pandemic, while also building understanding of what constitutes effective professional development in the early years. The EEF worked with St Edmund’s Early Years Stronger Practice Hub to fund settings’ access to TWiTCH through a pilot study.

TWiTCH focuses on improving children’s outcomes through interactive reading and teaching through collaborative talk. There is strong evidence that interactive reading can improve language and communication in the early years. Many studies show the benefits for children from disadvantaged backgrounds, though there is currently no evidence that this results in narrowing the socio-economic disadvantage gap when all children receive the same intervention. There are also very few impact studies on collaborative talk in the early years, although it is well-evidenced in older age groups and initial research in this area looks promising.

The pilot evaluation of TWiTCH showed evidence of promise, with practitioner data indicating increased knowledge and confidence, as well as changes to storytelling and general practice to support children’s language development. Practitioners observed improvements in children’s language, vocabulary, reasoning, group confidence, and story retelling, which they attributed to the TWiTCH programme. It was generally seen as acceptable to settings and almost all (92%) were able to implement at least six cycles. The programme was delivered with a varying degree of fidelity to different elements across settings. TWiTCH was facilitated by practitioners being given agency in the delivery of the programme, and it was delivered more successfully when practitioners adapted the activities to the specific needs of the children and their interests. Practitioner confidence and experience, or support from the TWiTCH Champion, were key to successful adaptation.

EEF is exploring the potential for further evaluation of TWiTCH.

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