Proposed National Early Language and Literacy Strategy_WEB

Through a national call-out for information on current programs and initiatives employed throughout Australia targeting early language and literacy development; stakeholder consultation with federal, state and territory government departments; and a desktop review on existing strategies and policies; several key findings about the nature and extent of early language and literacy approaches were ascertained. v • Government approaches to early language and literacy vary by state and territory. • There are several areas to link a National Early Language and Literacy Strategy into existing frameworks and standards, and broader educational goals. • There is a need for government approaches to early language and literacy to extend beyond a focus on the Early Childhood Education and Care sector, and better incorporate the role of supporting families and providing specialist services. Despite this there appears to be a substantial number of individual programs undertaken in Australia that aim to support families experiencing disadvantage with children who demonstrate substantial language delays and impairments. • Current programs broadly reflect the approaches and target groups in the literature but there is a lack of robust evaluation, or coordination and information-sharing between different programs and initiatives. • There is little acknowledgement of traditional ways of sharing language and stories with children in Indigenous communities.

Proposed National Early Language and Literacy Strategy

2. Early

education and transitions

1. Family

support within communities

Overall, the review relating to current actions being undertaken in Australia illustrates the need for a national coordinated strategy that involves the early education and care sector in addition to family and community support.

4. Knowledge production and dissemination

3. Specialist support

v See Early Language and Literacy Evidence Review reports , conducted by ARACY as part of the Early Language and Literacy: Reviewing the evidence, good practice guidance, and developing a national strategy project.

National Early Language and Literacy Strategy 19

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National Early Language and Literacy Strategy