EYLF V2.0 · Learning Outcome 5 of 5
Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators
Children express themselves in words, gestures, marks, art and technology, and are beginning to read symbols. The framework breaks it into 5 sub-outcomes:
- 5.1 Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposes
- 5.2 Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these texts
- 5.3 Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of media
- 5.4 Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems work
- 5.5 Children use digital technologies and media to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinking
Updated 6 October 2026 · StoryLoop, Ōtautahi Christchurch
Outcome 5
Each sub-outcome, and what it can look like
The left column is the framework's own wording. The right column is StoryLoop's everyday example, not framework text.
| Sub-outcome | What it can look like |
|---|---|
| 5.1Children interact verbally and non-verbally with others for a range of purposesLooks like: Babbles back in a turn-taking “conversation”, points to ask, negotiates a role in play. | Babbles back in a turn-taking “conversation”, points to ask, negotiates a role in play. |
| 5.2Children engage with a range of texts and gain meaning from these textsLooks like: Joins in a repeated line of a picture book, retells a story. | Joins in a repeated line of a picture book, retells a story. |
| 5.3Children express ideas and make meaning using a range of mediaLooks like: Paints what happened at the beach, builds a “castle for the dragon”, dances a song. | Paints what happened at the beach, builds a “castle for the dragon”, dances a song. |
| 5.4Children begin to understand how symbols and pattern systems workLooks like: Writes the first letter of their name, makes a colour pattern, recognises a sign. | Writes the first letter of their name, makes a colour pattern, recognises a sign. |
| 5.5Children use digital technologies and media to access information, investigate ideas and represent their thinkingLooks like: Takes a photo of their block building, looks at a video to find out how a bird flies. | Takes a photo of their block building, looks at a video to find out how a bird flies. |
By age
Outcome 5 with babies, toddlers and preschoolers
Babies. Babbles back and forth, points, and uses gestures and facial expressions to share what they notice.
Toddlers. Uses first words and short phrases, and joins in songs and the repeated lines of a favourite book.
Preschoolers. Tells a story, makes marks and early letters, recognises their name and familiar signs, and photographs their own work.
These are StoryLoop's examples of what the learning can look like, not a checklist. Every child shows it in their own way and time.
From a real draft
How a real StoryLoop draft linked Outcome 5
The note:
Ruby fed herself yoghurt with a spoon at morning tea. Got most in. Put the spoon down and used her fingers for the last bit. Said 'all gone'.
The curriculum link StoryLoop wrote in the draft, unedited:
EYLF Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators. Ruby used the words "all gone" to let us know she was finished, linking her words with what had just happened.
It names the outcome, then says in one sentence what the child did that shows it. Read the full draft.
What StoryLoop does with a note
A rough note in, a learning story out.
A real note an educator typed, and the start of the draft StoryLoop wrote from it, unedited, with the EYLF V2.0 links, learning and next steps to follow.
Jack sorted the bear counters by colour into the cups. Then lined up the red ones and counted 8. Put 2 blue ones on the end and said 'now it's ten'.
Sorting and making ten
Jack sorted the bear counters by colour into the cups. After sorting, he lined up the red bears and counted them. Jack counted 8 red bears, then added 2 blue bears to the end of the line and said, “now it's ten”.
What learning we noticed
Jack used sorting, counting and adding in one clear sequence. He noticed the colours, organised the bears into groups, counted the red bears, and then changed the set by adding two more. When Jack said, “now it's ten”, he showed that he was thinking about the total, not just naming the colours or counting by rote.
Now try it with your own note. No signup.
Type what you saw today. StoryLoop writes the draft here, with EYLF V2.0 links, and shows you exactly what it is built on.
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Tip: what the child did, one thing they said, and what happened next. Three lines is plenty.
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Questions educators ask
What is EYLF Outcome 5?
What are the sub-outcomes of Outcome 5?
What are examples of EYLF Outcome 5?
How do I link a learning story to Outcome 5?
EYLF V2.0
The other four learning outcomes
Drafts that link Outcome 5 from your own notes
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