Quality Interactions

Stronger Practice Hub Event

High-quality interactions are central to the DfE’s Best Start in Life vision, recognising that responsive relationships and language-rich environments are key to children’s learning, development and school readiness.

This session will explore the fundamentals of effective, authentic and meaningful interactions in the Early Years. Participants will reflect on how body language, tone of voice, listening, wait time and sustained shared thinking can deepen children’s learning, extend language and respond to their interests and fascinations.

Using the Quality Interaction Checklist, the EEF Evidence Store and principles from the Best Start in Life strategy, practitioners will consider evidence-informed approaches to strengthening everyday interactions and creating rich learning opportunities for all children.

Participants will:

• Explore the characteristics of high-quality adult-child interactions.
• Reflect on strategies that promote language, thinking and wellbeing.
• Use the Quality Interaction Checklist to evaluate and develop practice.
• Consider how effective interactions support children’s development and readiness for school.