# EYLF Outcome 5: Children Are Effective Communicators > EYLF V2.0 Outcome 5 in plain words: language, early literacy, numeracy, the arts and digital technologies, with examples by age and resources. ## EYLF Outcome 5: Effective Communicators Outcome 5 of the [Early Years Learning Framework V2.0](https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf) covers every way children share meaning: gestures, sounds, talking, signing, listening, books, mark making, music, art, numbers and digital technologies. It is the outcome with the most sub-outcomes, five in all. The framework is clear that home languages matter here. Children have the right to keep using their home language while they also learn Standard Australian English, and their home language underpins their identity and their thinking. Below are early literacy and language resources from Australian educators, then the five sub-outcomes in plain words, what they look like at each age, and observation examples. For the full framework, see my [EYLF learning outcomes guide](/teacher-guides/eylf-learning-outcomes). ## Rhyme and Early Literacy Resources for Early Childhood _(Dynamic listing feed — browse at the page URL for live results.)_ ## The Five Sub-Outcomes of Outcome 5 ### 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes Children communicate with looks, gestures, sounds, signs and words, and they listen and respond. They use language to ask, explain, play and make friends, in English and in their home languages. ### 5.2 Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts Children enjoy books, songs, rhymes and stories, including oral stories. They retell, join in with repeated lines, and talk about what happens and why. ### 5.3 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media Children paint, draw, build, dance, sing and act out ideas. Mark making and early writing belong here too. ### 5.4 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work Children notice that letters, numbers, signs and logos carry meaning. They spot patterns in sounds, rhythms, shapes and numbers, and start to recognise their name and some letters. ### 5.5 Children use digital technologies and media to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking With an educator, children use cameras, tablets and other tools to look things up, record what they did, and share their ideas. > **Note:** The numbers 5.1 to 5.5 are a common shorthand in services. The EYLF lists the sub-outcomes without numbers. ACECQA also publishes an [EYLF V2.0 learning outcomes information sheet](https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-07/InformationSheet_EYLF-Outcomes%20Information%20Sheets.pdf) with reflective questions and practice examples. ## Alphabet and Letter Play Resources _(Dynamic listing feed — browse at the page URL for live results.)_ ## What Outcome 5 Looks Like at Different Ages ### Babies - Cooing, babbling and taking turns in "conversation" with an educator - Pointing, reaching and looking to show what they want - Turning towards a familiar voice or song - Patting pictures in a board book ### Toddlers - Using single words, then two or three words together - Joining in with actions to songs and rhymes - Asking for a favourite book again and again - Making marks with crayons, chalk and paint ### Preschoolers - Telling a story with a beginning, middle and end - Playing with rhyme and the first sounds of words - Recognising their own name and some letters and numerals - Writing "pretend" shopping lists or signs in play - Taking photos on a tablet to show what they built ### Experiences that support Outcome 5 - Shared reading every day, and a cosy book corner - Songs, rhymes and finger plays, including songs in the home languages of the children - Story stones, puppets and dramatic play - Mark making with paint, chalk, sand and whiteboards - [Oral language activities](/teacher-guides/oral-language-activities), [phonological awareness games](/teacher-guides/phonological-awareness-activities) and [alphabet activities](/teacher-guides/alphabet-letter-recognition-activities) - Counting songs, number play and patterns in music and movement ## Phonological Awareness and Early Literacy Activities _(Dynamic listing feed — browse at the page URL for live results.)_ ## Observation Examples for Outcome 5 These are made-up examples to show the shape: what the child did, what it shows, which sub-outcome, and what comes next. **Baby (7 months):** *When Grace babbled "ba-ba", Tom repeated it back. Grace paused, watched his face and babbled again, and they went back and forth five times. Grace is taking turns in a conversation before she has words (Outcome 5, interacting verbally and non-verbally). Next: Tom to keep up the back and forth at nappy change and feeding.* **Toddler (2):** *Hamza brought* Where Is the Green Sheep? *to an educator three times and said "sheep!" on every page. He joined in with "where is" on the last read. Hamza is enjoying a familiar text and joining in with a repeated line (Outcome 5, engaging with texts). Next: add sheep puppets to the book corner.* **Preschooler (4):** *In the home corner Sienna wrote a "menu" with circles and lines and read it aloud to her friends: "pizza, chips, juice". Sienna knows that marks on paper carry meaning (Outcome 5, symbols and pattern systems). Next: add order pads, pencils and real menus to the home corner.* For a longer narrative format, see my [learning story examples and templates](/teacher-guides/learning-story-examples-and-templates). For language milestones before school, see [school readiness: speech and language](/teacher-guides/school-readiness-speech-language). ### The other EYLF outcomes - [Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity](/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-1-identity) - [Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world](/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-2-connected-world) - [Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing](/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-3-wellbeing) - [Outcome 4: Children are confident and involved learners](/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-4-confident-learners) ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is EYLF Outcome 5? Outcome 5 of the [EYLF V2.0](https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf) is Children are effective communicators. It covers talking and listening, engaging with texts, expressing ideas through different media, understanding symbols and patterns, and using digital technologies. ### What are the sub-outcomes of EYLF Outcome 5? There are five: children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes; children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts; children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media; children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work; and children use digital technologies and media to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking. ### What changed in Outcome 5 in EYLF V2.0? The fifth sub-outcome now says digital technologies and media, where the first version said information and communication technologies. V2.0 also adds more about numeracy, home languages and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages and storytelling in the examples. ### Is numeracy part of EYLF Outcome 5? Yes. Numbers, patterns and mathematical language sit in Outcome 5 under understanding how symbols and pattern systems work. Investigating and problem solving with maths ideas is also documented under Outcome 4. ### What activities support EYLF Outcome 5? Shared reading, songs and rhymes, story stones and puppets, mark making, a writing area in dramatic play, alphabet play, counting songs, and taking photos to share what children made. [Browse early literacy resources here](/s?keywords=literacy&pub_yearLevels=has_any%3AearlyChildhood). ### Can I find free Outcome 5 resources on TeachBuySell? Yes. [Browse free rhyming and alphabet resources here](/s?keywords=rhyming&price=0%2C0), or use the price filter on any search. --- Source: https://teachbuysell.com.au/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-5-communicators Marketplace: https://teachbuysell.com.au