Session 3 - Areas of Learning

Session 3 - Areas of Learning

Learning outcomes

On completion of this session you should be able to:

1. Identify the six areas of learning which form part of the Early Years Foundations Stage (EYFS).

2. Explain the role of play in supporting children's learning

3. Describe how to provide activities and experiences which support children's learning

Notes: This will look at the six areas of learning – Stephen to search out images – or use Foundation Material

Introduction

If you visit an Early Years setting it may look a little chaotic, with lots of toys and activities taking place. But do you know that all of these activities are organised into six areas of learning that form part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This is the curriculum that children aged from Birth to Five follow in the UK, it is a structure of learning, development and care for young children.

All maintained/independent schoolsor registered early years providers in the private, voluntary and independent sectors caring for children from birth to fivemust use the EYFS. It doesn’t apply to: mother and toddler groups, nannies and short-term, occasional care (eg crèches).

What does the Early Years Foundation Stage do?

The EYFS ensures:

· children learn through play

· that providers work closely with parents and keep them up to date on the child’s progress

· the welfare, learning and development of children with different backgrounds and level of ability, including those with special educational needs and disabilities are met.

We will look at the six areas of learning that form part of the EYFS curriculum in more detail later in the session. However, let us think about the curriculum....

What is a curriculum?

In the UK we have a National Curriculum which sets out the stages and subjects your child will be taught during their time at school. It ensures that the teaching that takes place is balanced and consistent throughout all UK schools.

The National Curriculum is organised into blocks of years called Key Stages (KS), there are four key stages as well as the EYFS.

Activity 1:

Look at the table below which shows the different curriculum for each year, can you fill in the correct ages of the children in each row?

Age

Year

Key Stage

3-4 answers

Pre-school

EYFS

4-5

Reception

EYFS

5-6

Year 1

KS1

6-7

Year 2

KS1

7-8

Year 3

KS2

8-9

Year 4

KS2

9-10

Year 5

KS2

10-11

Year 6

KS3

11-12

Year 7

KS3

12-13

Year 8

KS3

13-14

Year 9

KS4

14-15

Year 10

KS4

15-16

Year 11

KS4

I wondered if for each correct entry we could have a tick or a try again! or even a sound.

The Early Years Foundation Stage promotes learning through play.

Activity 2: Think about it!

In the box below list as many words or phrases that you can think of to describe play?

Check your answers – did you include any of these?

· Children’s work

· Fun

· Involves others

· Solitary

· Imaginative

· Happens outside or inside

· Pretending

· Interesting

· Educational

· Exciting

· Adventurous

· Enjoyable

· Creative

· Complicated

· Challenging

· Skilful

Activity 3: The Value of Play – Gapped exercise – Barbara feel free to change the words

Although there are wide cultural variations in how children play, it is an essential part of growing up. All children develop and learn through play, including children with severe disabilities. Through play children learn to explore their world, they develop new skills, share experiences and learn how to deal with feelings.

Children with access to a wide range of well-selected toys and activities are more likely to be challenged and stimulated. Playful children are happier, better adjusted, more co-operative and more popular with their peers than those who play less.

Children also play for longer when a wide variety of toys are available. It is not necessarily the most expensive toys that provide the greatest stimulation and enjoyment. Often, it is better to have four or five different toys than one very expensive one.

Children differ enormously in their rate of growth and development so toys should keep pace with children's changing needs and ability levels. Toys should be chosen that are fun for children to play with. To be fun they should match the child's maturity and challenge his or her skills. Children should not be forced to play or pushed into playing games that may be too difficult for them, they should be able to choose what they would like to play with.

For play to be of benefit, children should feel secure and comfortable in their surroundings. They should be able to choose what they play with and where it takes them. Your role will be to provide opportunities which support and extend children’s play.

Activity 4: The stages of play

Children play in different ways and these are closely linked to their development.

Look at the different stages shown below, can you think of any examples of this type of play?