(EYLF) Learning outcome 5

Children are effective communicators.

Communication is crucial to belonging, being and becoming. Starting from birth, children communicate with others using eye contact, whole body movements, gestures, sounds, language, digital and assisted communication. They are social beings who are intrinsically motivated to interact, exchange ideas, thoughts, questions and feelings. They use a range of tools and media, including music, dance and drama, to express themselves, connect with others and extend their learning. 

Children’s use of their home languages underpins their sense of identity and their conceptual development. Children’s sense of belonging is strengthened when their language, interaction styles and ways of communicating are valued. They have the right to be continuing users of their home language, as well as to develop competency in Standard Australian English. 

Literacy and numeracy capabilities are important aspects of communication and are vital for successful learning across the curriculum. 

Being literate is the capacity, confidence and disposition to use language in all its forms through written, oral, visual and auditory. Literacy incorporates a range of modes of communication including music, movement, dance, storytelling, visual arts, media and drama, as well as talking, listening, viewing, composing, reading and writing. Active listening and a strong foundation of oral language is key to ongoing and lasting literacy learning. Children enjoy and learn from different texts. Contemporary texts include electronic and print-based media. In an increasingly technological world, the ability to critically analyse texts is a key component of literacy. 

Being numerate is the capacity, confidence and disposition to use mathematics in daily life. All children bring new mathematical understandings through engaging with problem solving. It is essential that the mathematical ideas with which children interact are relevant and meaningful in the context of their current lives. Educators require a rich mathematical vocabulary to accurately describe and explain children’s mathematical ideas and to support numeracy development. To build their numeracy, children explore powerful mathematic ideas in their world including spatial sense, geometric and algebraic reasoning, structure and pattern, number sense, data and probability reasoning and measuring, along with drawing connections and argumentation. 

Children live in a digital world. They are digitally connected through many devices. Digital technologies offer possibilities for learning, engagement, wellbeing and social connection. Children learn about, and how to use, digital technologies in their relationships with other children and adults. Valuable learning opportunities can be found in children’s everyday activities that support shared engagement and learning. All children benefit from opportunities to explore their world using technologies and to develop confidence in using digital technologies and media. 

Experiences in early childhood settings build on the range of experiences with language, literacy and numeracy that children have within their families and communities. It extends their social worlds beyond families to include educators, peers and others to support children’s everyday interactions. Encouraging children’s positive attitudes and competencies in literacy and numeracy are essential for all children’s successful learning. The foundations for these competencies are built in early childhood.