16mo–2.2y12 minFamily timeReadingQuiet time
First Language at Home, Every Day
Keep your first language strong through everyday talk, photos, songs, and play. This supports your child’s confidence and helps them build English too—without replacing the first language.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2 to 5 family photos (printed or on a phone)
- one favourite toy or everyday object to talk about
Nice to have
- a simple song/rhyme you know in your first language
- a book in any language
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneBeginning to talk about people and things that are not present.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneHolds a conversation, jumping from topic to topic.Mind· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneUses single meaningful wordsMind· 8mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneNames pictured referentsMind· 23mo–2.9y· core
- MilestoneBeginning to ask simple questions.Mind· 2.1y–4.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneCombines two wordsMind· 14mo–3y· core
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage parents whose children are learning English as an additional language to continue to encourage use of the first language at home.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)