Speak Out December 2020

National Early Language and Literacy Strategy

The National Early Literacy and Language Coalition (NELLC) represents a broad cross- section of stakeholders in the sector, working together to progress a National Early Literacy and Language Strategy. Speech Pathology Australia was pleased to be involved in this initiative. The Coalition includes the following partners: Australian Library and Information Association, The Australian Literacy and Numeracy Foundation, Australian Literacy Educator’s Association, Early Childhood Australia, National and State Libraries Australia, The Smith Family, Indigenous Literacy Foundation and Australian Research Alliance for Children and Youth and Murdoch Children's Research Institute. We have the support of the Ian Potter Foundation, which has provided funding for a three-year project 'Early Language and Literacy: Reviewing the evidence, good practice guidance, and developing a national strategy.' Release of the National Early Language and On 2 November 2020 the NELLC released a discussion paper which outlines the objectives and priorities of a National Early Language and Literacy Strategy. Objectives of a national strategy The central objective of a National Early Language and Literacy Strategy is to establish a coordinated national approach to enhancing babies’ and children’s early language and literacy development in Australia. The overarching and long-term goal is to ensure that, before starting school, children are provided with the best opportunities to develop the foundational language and literacy skills required to learn, be healthy, develop a positive sense of identity and culture, and participate within their family, community and society, throughout their childhood, into adolescence and adulthood. A National Strategy intends to do this by: • establishing a common understanding around early language and literacy development Literacy Strategy Discussion Paper

• reflecting and building upon existing strategies, initiatives, services and programs • identifying priorities, targets and responses in the short, medium and long term. The discussion paper outlines the objectives and priorities of a National Early Language and Literacy Strategy based on the evidence reviews undertaken between March 2019 and June 2020. The reviews included peer- reviewed literature, existing national and international strategies, policies and programs, in addition to previous work undertaken by the NELLC, its content will frame the co-design by the working group of a draft National Strategy In support of the launch of the discussion and evidence papers, ARACY hosted a National Language and Literacy Strategy (NELLS) webinar. The webinar was presented by Associate Professor Tanya Serry and Dr Rebecca Goodhue and outlines: • the progress NELLC has made in developing the National Early Language and Literacy Strategy • NELLC’s recently released discussion paper and evidence reviews • how this evidence can be used today to help more young children develop better literacy and language skills earlier. NELLC would like to acknowledge The Ian Potter Foundation for the funding to assist in the development of the strategy. We encourage members to read and share these documents as widely and as often as you can through all your channels and networks to help drive the discussion of the need for a National Strategy. Jane Delaney Senior Advisor, Early Childhood and Education www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au/ education due to be undertaken in early 2021. Early language and literacy webinar recording

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December 2020 | Speak Out