The three prime areas, Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), Communication and Language (CL), and Physical Development (PD), describe universal core aspects of early child development. They are time-sensitive because of biological factors that enable rapid brain connections in the first three years of life.

Developmental steps missed at this early crucial stage are much harder to address later on, so it is crucial that children’s interactions and experiences in the first few years' support development in these fundamental areas. (Birth To 5 Matters).

Useful links

EYFS Statutory Framework - Sets out the educational programmes which detail what providers must do across the seven areas of development.
Development matters and Birth to 5 matters - Set out non-statutory guidance for practitioners which can be used to inform practice, assess and support children.
Parents guide to the EYFS framework - Sets out the educational programmes which detail what providers must do across the seven areas of development.
Speech and Language Therapy Toolkit - Offers lots of ideas and advice that can help practitioners and parents support children’s speech, language and communication skills.
Resource library for families - Offers ideas to support families when they are worried about their child’s development.
Words for Life - All of the content on Words for Life has been designed to provide parents, children and young people with activities and support to improve their language, literacy and communication skills from home.
Best start in life part 2: the 3 prime areas of learning - GOV.UK
Children's language development and parenting advice - Offers a wealth of information for parents and practitioners.
First call - Lincolnshire Children's Therapy Services
Solent NHS Trust Children Therapy Service EYDC