75% of a child’s brain growth has occurred by the age of 2 and by 22 months a child’s development can predict outcomes at the age of 26. Hodas (2006) and Feinstein (2003)
Early Language Development Programme (ELDP)
I CAN is leading a partnership to deliver the new Early Language Development Programme (ELDP), which is funded by Department for Education. The ELDP aims to boost the language skills of all children aged 0-5, particularly the under threes and those at risk of language delay. The three year programme will give parents and practitioners the skills and knowledge to support the development of speech, language and communication in the early years.
Project aims
The ELDP's overall aim is to ensure more young children develop the language skills they need to be school ready and to improve their life chances. The programme will particularly target the under threes and their families in England's most disadvantaged areas.
Evidence shows that children's understanding and use of vocabulary at 2 is very strongly associated with their performance on entering primary school. More than 50% children start school without the communication skills they need to achieve in some areas of social deprivation within the UK.
How it will work
The ELDP will help settings build capacity and skills in communication and language - one of the three prime areas proposed in the revised Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) Curriculum.
Through the ELDP, 485 'hubs' of early language expertise will be created in areas serving some of the most disadvantaged children and families. Lead practitioners from Children's Centres will be supported to cascade a comprehensive package of high quality training, resources and support to other local practitioners, working closely with local authorities, health visitors and speech and language therapists.
It will help build on the good practice that has been developed through the Government funded Every Child a Talker (ECAT) programme. The programme aims to reach up to 16,000 practitioners in almost 4,000
Ref: http://www.ican.org.uk/What-we-do/Early%20Years/Early%20Language%20Development%20Programme%20ELDP.aspx