Offer children many different experiences and opportunities to play freely and to explore and investigate. Make time and space for children to become deeply involved in imaginative play, indoors and outside. Being Imaginative and Expressive - Children being able to come up with their own pictures, ideas, and ways to express themselves. These early learning goals are defined in the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage as: ‘the knowledge, skills and understanding children should have at the end of the academic year in which they turn five’. Understanding the World involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community. The frequency and range of children’s personal experiences increase their knowledge and sense of the world around them – from visiting parks, libraries, and museums to meeting important members of society such as police officers, nurses, and firefighters.

Reading frequently to children, and engaging them actively in stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems, and then providing them with extensive opportunities to use and embed new words in a range of contexts, will give children the opportunity to thrive. Writing involves transcription, including both spelling and handwriting. It also involves composition, where children articulate ideas and structure them in speech, before writing. To support understanding of the all-important characteristics of effective teaching and learning in early years settings, try this Neutral Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning Display (New EYFS 2021). Take time to read the early years foundation stage ( EYFS) framework and Development Matters and discuss your setting’s approach with colleagues.Help toddlers to express what’s angering them by suggesting words to describe their emotions, like ‘sad’ or ‘angry’. You can help further by explaining in simple terms why you think they may be feeling that emotion. Assessment is about noticing what children can do and what they know. It is not about lots of data and evidence. Children learn and develop more from birth to 5 years old than at any other time in their lives. If children are at risk of falling behind the majority, the best time to help them to catch up and keep up is in the early years. Every child can make progress if they are given the right support. We have resources for each of the three sections of Understanding the World, which use different methods of learning to support development within each EYFS learning outcome. bring their own interests and fascinations into early years settings - this helps them to develop their learning

Reading frequently to children helps to grow their vocabulary and listening skills. Engage them actively in stories, non-fiction, rhymes, and poems. Then provide them with extensive opportunities to use and embed new words in a range of contexts like writing and talking. This will give children the opportunity to thrive and enjoy exploring the new words they are learning. This document is easily printable so would be a perfect to display in your reception classroom helping practitioners to become familiar with these new early learning goals or add to folders or CPD documents. And there are plenty more resources to support you with the Reception Curriculum alongside this.

The prime areas lay the foundations upon which all further learning can develop. The prime areas are also extremely important for ‘igniting children’s curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, forming relationships and thriving’, as stated in the statutory framework for the early years foundation stage. The three prime areas are: It is important for parents and early years settings to have a strong and respectful partnership. This sets the scene for children to thrive in the early years.

Past and Present - Looking at the past and present, children should be beginning to understand and articulate differences. Opportunities to play and explore freely, indoors and outside, are fun. They also help babies, toddlers and young children to develop their self-regulation as they enjoy hands-on learning and sometimes talk about what they are doing. The EYFS uses a methodical approach when it comes to the placement of each of the Prime and Specific Areas of Learning. The Prime Areas are more basic, life-long skills that pave the way for children to progress towards Specific Areas of Learning. The Specific Areas of Learning cannot be developed alone, and rely on the skills gained in the Prime Areas of Learning.Make time to connect with babies, toddlers and young children. Tune in and listen to them and join in with their play, indoors and outside. Active Learning - Children can motivate themselves, taking the initiative to investigate and ask questions. They take an active role in activities and learning. Why not read our blog, which discusses the importance of play in early years? More characteristics of effective learning EYFS resources to try guide their own thinking and actions by referring to visual aids or by talking to themselves while playing, for example, a child doing a jigsaw might whisper under their breath: “Where does that one go? – I need to find the big horse next.”