Module 5: Living Inquiries – Communication and Literacies

Language and Communication

Children and educators engage in meaningful, reciprocal conversations.

Critically Reflective Questions

• What opportunities do children have for one-to-one interaction, both with adults and other children?
• How do I extend and deepen conversations with children?
• Think about intentionally listening.
  • How might this shift how I converse with children?
• What opportunities do children have to listen to one another?
• In what ways do I encourage children to explore different ways of expressing a single idea? For example, can you draw joy? What is
  • A joyful sound?
  • A joyful shape or colour?
  • A joyful movement?
  • A joyful facial expression?

  Case Study: Language and Communication

  Children in a primary classroom are learning sign language. One of the children in the class is deaf, and the other children are learning to communicate with that child. The children are excited to learn this new language together. They engage in discussions with their teacher and their parents about this way of communicating, showing what they have learned.

  Reflective Question

  In your practice, how might you and the children engage in meaningful, reciprocal conversations with each other?