This area of learning is about emotional well-being, knowing who you are and where you fit in and feeling good about yourself. It is also about developing respect for others, social competence and a positive disposition to learn.

We believe that children are social beings and display differing personalities. We therefore foster independent help for children to gain and use skills necessary for working in small groups as well as the whole. Children learn how to function well as group members, how to ask for help and how to complete a task and put things away.

Encouraging children to be responsible for their own belongings and class equipment, and knowing the daily routine also encourages their independence.

We are able to achieve this through a play based curriculum which allows for independent choices and individual development.

Communication, Language and Literacy

The development and use of communication and language is at the heart of young children’s learning. Learning to listen and speak emerge out of non-verbal communication, including eye-contact, bending the head to listen, hand gestures and taking turns. These skills develop as children express their needs and feelings, interact with others and establish their own identities and personalities. The ability to communicate gives children the capacity to participate more fully in their society.

Teachers provide children with opportunities to revisit ideas and skills, use literacy – based skills in real-life contexts, and provide them with many ways to communicate, read and write as they participate in both indoor and outdoor learning activities.

Mathematical Development (Numeracy)

Mathematical development depends on becoming confident and competent in learning and using key skills. This area of learning includes counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns, making connections, recognizing relationships and working with numbers, shapes, space and measure.

Maths is an important part of everyday learning. Children are given opportunities to “play” with math in a variety of ways. A variety of activities are planned that involve whole group, small group and individual sessions. Maths experiences may include reading (or being read to), writing, and is often involved in science activities. Maths sessions include calendar and attendance taking, some paper and pencil tasks, game playing, mental problem solving, and use of manipulatives and other materials. Activities are planned to include some adaptation as necessary for children who need a greater challenge, or more support or experience with lower level skills.

Through careful observation, conversations, and guidance, adults help children make connections between mathematics in familiar situations and new ones. Adults provide access to books and stories with numbers and patterns; to music with actions and directions such as up, down, in and out; or to games that involve rules and taking turn.

Knowledge and Understanding of the World

We believe children have a range of knowledge, skills and understanding on which to build and are naturally curious and keen to learn.

In this area of learning children are developing the crucial knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. This forms the foundation of their work in science, design and technology, history, geography and information and communication technology (ICT).

We want to create an environment where each child has the time, confidence and freedom to learn at their own pace, explore their own interests and begin to make sense of their own world.

Physical Development

Physical development in the foundation stage is about improving skills of co-ordination, control, movement and manipulation. It also helps children gain confidence in what they can do and enables them to feel the positive benefits of being healthy and active. Young children’s physical development is inseparable from all other aspects of development because they learn through being active and interactive. Effective physical development helps children to develop a positive sense of well-being.

Creative Development

Creativity is fundamental to successful learning. Being creative enables children to make connections between one area of learning and another and so extend their understanding. This area of learning includes art, music, dance, role play and imaginative play.

These six areas form a foundation for the subject areas in grades 1 and above. Through these areas we wish to create an atmosphere of emotional warmth, and to be sensitive to the individual needs of each child. We give opportunities to children to be in control of their own learning by allowing them to make choices through structured activities. Although we plan for whole group instruction as it is important for community building, the early childhood teacher knows that young children learn best in small groups with ample one-on-one support. We fully encourage and prepare children for life by placing learning in a meaningful context.

The philosophy that is unique to this division is that we believe children use play and other creative and imaginative activities to learn and make sense of the world. We also believe that learning at this stage should be child centered and provide opportunities for children to be in control of their own learning.

Hyperlinks

http://earlylife.com.au/info/

http://earlylife.com.au/info/taxonomy/term/1 Parent Factsheets