For practitioners working with children under the age of 5

The government's 2017 Unlocking Talent Fulfilling Potential plan highlights the need to close development gaps, especially early language and literacy skills.

The government's 2018 Key competencies in early cognitive development: things, people, numbers and words report gives evidence about how best to support children's development in the early years, including theory of mind, objects, numbers and words.

Development Language Disorder (DLD)

Developmental Language Disorder (DLD) is the new term to replace Specific Language Impairment. It is diagnosed when children fail to acquire their own language for no obvious reason. This results in children who have difficulty understanding what people say to them, and struggle to articulate their ideas and feelings.

Recent research has shown that, on average, 2 children in every class of 30 will experience DLD severe enough to hinder academic progress. DLD affects approximately 7% of the population and causes difficulties with speaking, understanding and reading.

For more information visit the Raising awareness of Developmental Language Disorder campaign.

Literacy Trust research shows the value of supporting pre-school language skills. Experts suggest that doing simple activities at home such as singing, painting or enjoying a bedtime story with pre-school children help to boost the economy by up to £1.2 billion over their lifetimes.

The government's 2021 reading framework: teaching the foundations of literacy document is aimed at primary schools, but has useful information about the skills that underpin successful reading.

The government also produced local service lead guidance for the best start in speech, language and communication in 2020.