C308 Language-rich environment

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Criterion C308 Guidance

Criterion C308

The service curriculum provides a language-rich environment that supports children’s learning.

Curriculum criteria documentation required

Guidance

Language is a vital part of communication and cultural transmission. If children are competent communicators, they are well-placed to enjoy their relationships with others and to be successful learners. Language does not consist only of words, sentences, and stories though: it includes the language of images, art, dance, drama, mathematics, technology, movement, rhythm, print and music.

The ‘languages’ used in the environment will depend on the make-up of the children and families that attend, and the community that the service serves – for example a language-rich environment in an infant and toddler setting may look, feel and sound different from a setting for older children.

In early childhood services in Aotearoa New Zealand, it is important that educators understand the significance of te reo Māori and that it is heard, seen and used throughout the day, integrated throughout the service curriculum.

All children will enter an early childhood service with a first language. Sometimes this language is different to the language or languages used in the centre. It is important that educators work in collaboration with the parents/whānau of the child to ensure that the child’s first language is integrated into the service curriculum in real and meaningful ways.

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Practice

Examples of what this might look like in practice:

The service curriculum is print-focused:
- educators encourage print-awareness in children’s activities
- have a lot of printed material visible around the centre, at children’s eye-level or just above and
- offer children a range of readily accessible books.
The first language of each child that attends the service is represented in the environment – seen and heard – particularly the key words and phrases that the child relies upon for communication.
Children and educators use their first languages and extend their vocabularies in both te reo Māori and English.
Children use a variety of ways to communicate, including non-verbal communication through art, movement and music.
Educators actively listen to and respond to all forms of communication from children.
Educators promote stories, songs, dance, and music from a variety of cultures.

Things to consider

What languages are ‘spoken’ here?
How do our wider relationships with colleagues, parents, and the community influence our provision of a language-rich environment? What tools and strategies do we have to support the provision of a language-rich environment?
How do we evaluate how our level of engagement with children and families impacts on learning outcomes for children?
What kinds of review practices happen within the language used in engagement with children?
How do we reflect on or monitor the language we use with children, families and each other?
How do the language experiences provided for children reflect the families’ wishes, beliefs and aspirations?
How do we access content knowledge and technical language to support and extend children’s thinking?
What role does a language-rich environment play in the transmission of culture?
What happens at our place that reflects the importance of language/learning?
How would we explain to others how children’s learning is supported through a language-rich environment?
Do we notice who talks, when they talk, and what they say? Do we notice who does not talk, and why?
How are the languages and symbols of children’s own and other cultures promoted and protected?
How can our environment support children’s thinking and language?