Radically rewritten and updated in light of new research and developments, the new edition of this important book gives clear guidance to early years practitioners on how to support young children's language and literacy development.

The book covers the age range 0-7 years and highlights the speed and complexity of this period of growth in children's thinking, communicative abilities, language, social and cultural awareness and physical skills. Child observations and case studies and photographs are used to demonstrate the learning that goes on in a variety of homes and early years settings.

New and key features include:

• An expanded chapter showing a range of good practices in three different settings (nursery school, integrated children's centre and Steiner kindergartens)
• A new chapter reviewing the statutory national requirements for communication, language and literacy in the UK
• Additional case studies (including children in the final year of the Foundation Stage)
• End of chapter summaries
• Updated further reading
• Notes on provision and activities for supporting young children's development at ends of each chapter