Learning Through Talk in the Early Years

Book excerpt: `This book is aimed at class teachers of Reception to Year 3 seeking ideas to develop their pupils′ speaking and listening skills. The author describes each activity in an easy-to-follow format with links to the relevant curriculum targets. The most valuable part of the book is the commentary from the author′s own teaching experience. This provides some useful insights, such as the fact that the flow of children′s ideas was improved while they had a discussion while engaged in drawing. The book is easy to read. It... provide[s] a practical guide to some tried and tested speaking and listening activities which may be useful for the beginning Foundation or Key Stage 1 teacher′ - Special! Do the children in your class need help with language and listening skills? Lots of ideas and suggestions for activities using and encouraging talk in the classroom make this book a lively, practical guide to encouraging young children to develop their verbal reasoning skills and to communicate more effectively. There is advice on how to tie in these activities with the various curriculum subjects and the following are covered: - setting up a talk corner - using story bags and story boxes - using Circle Time and playing games to encourage talk In each activity there are directions for helping children with Special Educational Needs, working with Teaching Assistants (TAs) and other adults in the classroom, planning and assessing work and finding suitable resources. A selection of photocopiable material is included and all the suggestions and ideas in the book have been tried and tested by the author in her own classroom. The focus of this book is on young children aged 5 to 8, but the activities can be adapted to suit those younger or older.