 The Foundation Stage is now part of the national curriculum for children aged from three to the end of the reception year (5+). It is a distinct stage, important both in its own right and in preparing children for later schooling. Learning in the Foundation Stage is planned under six broad areas and young children work towards achieving the Early Learning Goals (ELGs) by progressing through Stepping Stones. This Foundation Stage page gives a brief outline of the six areas of learning and a few examples of the Stepping Stones and Early Learning Goals defined in each area. The Foundation Stage curriculum should be one that provides active, creative and personal learning and this can be delivered through 3 types of activities child initiated ( free play) - children decide for themselves how to play with the dough adult initiated ( structured play)- the teacher limits the provision eg. no rolling pins or cutters provided - only plastic knives teacher directed this can be recorded work, writing, practical maths.
Activities such as sand play, home corner, construction toys are considered as important as numeracy and literacy as they cover ELGs not covered by the more traditional subjects. PERSONAL SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Successful personal social and emotional development is essential for children in all aspects of their lives. It gives them the best opportunity for success in all areas of learning. This area of learning builds the children's confidence, independence and self-esteem and fosters an understanding of social relationships and responsibilities. It develops the skills attitudes and understanding which encourage children to become independent and self motivated in thinking and learning. The children are encouraged to develop an awareness and understanding of the diversity in customs and cultures. Some of the Stepping Stones for Personal Social and Emotional Development Show confidence and the ability to stand up for own rights
Express needs and feelings in appropriate ways
Work as part of a group or class, taking turns and sharing fairly
Understand what is right and what is wrong and why
Show care and concern for others for living things and the environment
Have an awareness of and show interest and enjoyment in, cultural and religious differences Some of the Early Learning Goals for Personal Social and Emotional Development
Form good relationships with adults and peers
Work as part of a group or class, taking turns and sharing fairly, working harmoniously
Be confident to try new activities, initiate ideas and speak in a familiar group
Select and use activities and resources independently
Understand that people have different needs, views, cultures and beliefs, which need to be treated with respect | COMMUNICATION LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
This area of learning includes communication, speaking and listening in different situations and for different purposes, and developing the necessary skills for reading and writing.
Some of the Stepping Stones for Communication Language and Literacy
Build up a vocabulary that reflects the breadth of their experienceRespond to simple instructions
Have favourite books Recognise rhythm in spoken words
Use writing as a means of recording and communicating
Some of the Early Learning Goals for Communication Language and Literacy
Enjoy listening to and using spoken and written language
Speak clearly and audibly with confidence and control and show awareness of the listener, for example by their use of conventions such as greetings, 'please' and 'thank you'. Hear and say initial and final sounds in words, and short vowel sounds within words Read a range of familiar and common words and simple sentences independently
| MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT Mathematical development includes counting, sorting, matching, seeking patterns and working with numbers, shapes, space and measures. Concepts and understanding should be developed through stories, games, songs and imaginative play.
Some of the Stepping Stones for Mathematical Development
Use size language such as big and little
Match some shapes by recognising similarities and orientation
Observe and use positional language
Recognise numerals one to five, then one to nine
Select a particular named shape
Some of the Early Learning Goals for Mathematical Development
Recognise numerals 1 to 9 Find one more or one less than a number from one to 10
Use mathematical ideas and methods to solve problems
Talk about, recognize and recreate simple patterns Use everyday words to describe position
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| KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD This area develops the necessary skills to explore and find out about the world around them. It also forms the foundation for later work in science, design and technology, history, geography and information and communication technology (ICT). Some of the Stepping Stones for Knowledge and Understanding of the World Show an awareness of change Notice differences between features of the local environment Complete a simple program on the computer and/or perform simple functions on ICT apparatus Some of the Early Learning Goals for Knowledge and Understanding of the World Ask questions about why things happen and how things work Observe, find out about and identify features in the place they live and the natural world Find out about past and present events in their own lives, and in those of their families and other people they know Select the tools and techniques they need to shape, assemble and join materials they are using. | PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT Physical development is about improving skills of co-ordination, control, manipulation and movement. Consequently, they will gain confidence in what they can do and benefit from being healthy and active. Some of the Stepping Stones for Physical development Experiment with different ways of travelling Show increasing control over clothing and fastenings Retrieve, collect and catch objects Some of the Early Learning Goals for Physical development Move with confidence, imagination and in safety Travel around, under, over and through balancing and climbing equipment Recognise the importance of keeping healthy and those things which contribute to this Handle tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control | CREATIVE DEVELOPMENT Creative development includes art, music, dance, role-play and imaginative play. As a result of skills developed, children are able to communicate ideas and feelings, make connections, innovate and solve problems. Some of the Stepping Stones for Creative development Explore what happens when they mix colours Begin to build a repertoire of songs Respond to comments and questions, entering into dialogue about their creations Some of the Early Learning Goals for Creative development Explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in two or three dimensions Use their imagination in art, design, music, dance, imaginative and role play and stories Respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel |
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