Communication and Language Development in Early Childhood

Communication in Early Childhood Education

Body Language

(Ribas Antuña: 2011) Body language is specifically mentioned in the Infant Curriculum. When learning a foreign language, our body is essential. Images and realia materials are extremely important in the teaching-learning process. Our body, one of the main elements of non-verbal communication, is also a means to make our pupils conscious of shapes, spaces, and objects. Pointing out is absolutely important. By using our body without speaking, students can make associations between English names and objects, parts of the body, etc. Our body is also a means and a tool for dramatization activities.

Verbal Communication

• Set of signs
• Oral or written communication in its multiple forms
• Convention concerning the meanings and uses of the signs

Non-verbal Communication

• Set of signs, resources, strategies
• Not always as symbolic as they would be desired (cries, movements, smiles, looks)
• No convention (at all)

Levels of the Common European Framework (CEFR)

• C2: Proficiency Level
• C1: Advanced Level
• B2: Upper-Intermediate Level
• B1: Pre-Intermediate Level
• A2: Elementary Level
• A1: Beginner Level

Values to be Taught in Infant Education

Four key values are:

• Friendship
• Effort
• Empathy
• Responsibility

Assessing Communicative Competences

• Linguistic Competences: Lexical, grammatical
• Sociolinguistic Competences: Accents, dialects
• Pragmatic Competences: Discourse, functional, and design

LOMCE: Key Areas

LOMCE makes reference to three areas:

1. Self-knowledge and personal autonomy
2. Knowledge of the environment
3. Languages: Communication and representation

Activities to Work on Plastic Language

1. Water Activities: Water painting, finger painting, blow painting
2. Colored Wax Crayons Activities
3. Modeling Activities
4. Paper Activities
5. Volume Activities

General Support Resources

• Games: Balls, puzzles
• Music: Songs, musical instruments
• Audiovisuals: DVDs, videos
• Drama: Hand puppets

Choosing the Best Textbooks

Consider the following:

• Our knowledge area: English
• Our pupils' profile
• Our aims
• Timing per session

LOE: Values Through Cross-Cutting Themes

In the preamble of the LOE, there is a specific mention of values through cross-cutting themes. Four objectives are:

• Be conscious of emotions
• Face situations
• Accept coexistence rules
• Promote cooperation and participation