This area of children's development covers:

Language for communication

· being able to use conversation with one other person, in small groups and in large groups to talk with and listen to others;

Language for thinking

· adding to their vocabulary by learning the meaning of - and being able to use - new words;

· being able to use words to describe their experiences;

Linking sounds to letters

· getting to know the sounds and letters that make up the words we use;

Reading

· listening to - and talking about - stories;

· knowing how to handle books and that they can be a source of stories and information;

Writing

· knowing the purposes for which we use writing; and

Handwriting

· making their own attempts at writing.