Early Years Communication Week
Engage with Chat: Explore with Play: Read Together
#ChatPlayReadBucks
Annual Communication Week campaign looks to start conversations about the importance of interaction with young children
Round up of Communication Week 2025
For the seventh-year running, Buckinghamshire Council’s Early Years Service will shine a spotlight on the vital role speech, language, and communication play in a child’s early development.
This year’s Communication Week takes place from Monday 2nd March to Friday 6th March 2026, with events across the county celebrating the theme:
“Engage with chat, explore through play, read together.”
Join us as we promote simple, everyday interactions that make a big difference for babies and young children.
Hold the dates
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Live author events (3rd March at 10:00am and 6th March at 11:30am)
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Live PB event (4th March at 10:00am
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National Year of Reading 2026
“Small stories make a big difference”
The Early Years Foundation Stage plays one of the most defining roles in helping children fall in love with reading. The National Year of Reading 2026 is here to make that easier, offering simple, playful ideas to build stories and books into your everyday activities and routines.
More information can be found here:
Recent statistics below:
Reading is in generational decline and at its lowest level since 2005
Fiction books are linked to:
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- Higher attainment
- Broader vocabulary
- Improved narrative writing
- Cognitive development
- Imagination
2025 research:
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- 1 in 3 children (aged 8-18) said they enjoy reading
- 58.8% of boys (aged 5) enjoy reading compared to 66.4% of girls
- 41% of boys (aged 5) read daily compared to 48.3% of girls
- 15% of children entitled to FSM read daily v 19.4% of non-FSM
There is additional research and resources on the Open University website Reading for Pleasure - Reading for Pleasure.
The first event for schools takes place during Storytelling Week, beginning 2nd February.
Tuesday 3rd March 2026
19:00 - 21:00pm
Creating a Visually Rich Communication Environment
Fully Funded Training for Communication Week
To celebrate Communication Week, we are delighted to offer a fully funded training session available to Buckinghamshire Early Years and Out-of-school settings, aimed at promoting effective visual communication strategies. By completing this course practitioners will
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Develop an understanding of a range of visual supports used in settings
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Explore how visual supports contribute to creating a rich and inclusive communication environment
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Identify the different applications and purposes of visual supports in supporting communication
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Gain familiarity with the Visual Support Pack, including guidance on how to access and implement its resources effectively
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Parent Card
Please share these with families in your setting!
