Building a language rich environment is about using every opportunity to use language, to interact, to share a focus, to talk, to take turns. Building a language rich environment is also about building a nurturing environment, giving children love and affection and building their self confidence. Finally, it is about building a learning environment where love, language and learning can all take place together. Through research and personal experience I recognise the importance of using resources and equipment which suit differentiated levels of ability, should these requirements not be met children will not have the self belief and confidence to reach their full potential.
Within my role plan area the following resources and equipment will be included. * Low level sofa with soft furnishings, natural real life plant’s suituated next to it. * Child sized book case: within the book case there will be a variety of literature that will include, picture books, board books, magazines, welsh literature eg pictures of items with simple scripts attached and also catalogues that I will ask the children’s parents to bring in from their home. * Role play kitchen area that will have a selection of play items such as cups, plate’s along with cutlery, play food, pots, pans, play food, washing line, pegs ect. * Child sized dress up trolley with an end mirror for the children to see themselves within; the trolley will contain a selection of dress up material inclusive of imaginary/ fictional costumes. I will also include items the children can relate to in everyday situations. This will encourage children to discuss events that have happened within their own lives and gain a better understanding of the world around them. * A low level cupboard section with assessable draws for the children to freely choose what they wish to play with. Each draw will have a photograph accompanied by the words in order for the children to associate a picture with a word in order for the children to understand words have a meaning. Within the draws will be the following;
1. A variety of mark making tools to allow for differing abilities. 2. A selection of paper including lined and unlined along with post it’s and pads. 3. Play dough and cutting tools. 4. Story sacks these will contain story’s the children are familiar with along with puppets and props to allow the children to recreate the story within their own imagination. 5. A selection of dolls and feeding equipment including real nappies and bottles. 6. A treasure basket containing natural objects such as pine cones, acorns, leaves and twigs. Also every day items such as boxes with lids, jars, mixing bowls and wooden spoons. Language skills will in turn be promoted through problem solving and discussion.
Communication and the development of language should flow naturally and it is important to recognise that the environment and your resources play a key part in this process. Within my plan I have ensured that the following have been taken into account: * Toys and resources are in boxes that are labelled with pictures/symbols along with the written words * Toys and resources are kept at a height that the children can reach them * Ensured my resources are stimulating and at the appropriate developmental level for the children, Children are more likely to ask questions and comment when resources are exciting to them. * Ensure the environment reflects the culture and ethnicity of the children.
It is also important when planning this environment to have an understanding of your children’s abilities and to ensure all equipment is age and stage appropriate, if a child is unable to access and use the equipment no learning can take place.
Lev Vygotsky states,
“The notion of the zone of proximal development emphasises the importance of what has been called “scaffolding”. This relies on careful observation of what
