This essay will discuss the role of early years educators, particularly focusing on supporting speech, language, and communication in early childhood. As a child grows, his speech and language give him access to the world and the people around him. They learn to communicate with others and shape their own thoughts with words. Language and communication skills include a child's ability to express themselves through words, gestures, or facial expressions, as well as the ability to understand others. “Communication is an essential life skill. It is the foundation on which all children learn, succeed and make friends. This is essential to the development of children’s social and emotional well-being.” (Lindon, J., 2002). Early childhood settings are interested in emerging literacy. Early years practitioners should provide children with a print-rich environment, for example when they are ready to tell a story they should hold the book so they can see the words, pointing out the name and photo of the child on the placemats. (NCCA, 2009). French (2013) argues that we must become more ...