Early Years Foundation Stage

What is the Early Years Foundation Stage? Covers the period birth to five. The final year of the Foundation stage is when children are in a Reception class of a primary school. It is a play based statutory framework. It prepares children for learning in their future school career.

Prime Areas Personal, social and emotional development Communication and language. Physical Development

Literacy Mathematics Understanding of the world Expressive Arts and Design Specific areas

Characteristics of learning

Personal, Social and Emotional Development Encourages children to be independent and to interact with other children and adults. Helps children to become confident, safe, secure and ready to learn from new experiences. Helps children manage their feelings and behaviour

Communication and Language Will help children to develop listening and concentration skills. Enables children to understand instructions, humour and to answer “how” and “why” questions. Encourages children to develop conversational skills. Encourages children to express themselves effectively.

Physical Development Supports children’s healthy development. Provides opportunities for using a range of large and small equipment. Helps them to develop a sense of space around themselves and others. Encourages balance. Develops practical skills such as dressing, undressing etc

Literacy Enables children to hear sounds in words and to link these sounds to letters. Encourages children to write simple sentences, labels and captions. Helps children to learn to read individual words and eventually, simple stories independently.

What can you do to help your child’s literacy development??? Words to learn Reading Book Sounds to learn Encourage mark making, writing name and other words. Practising the phonemes they are learning

Mathematics Helps children to count up to 20 reliably. Add and subtract. Encourages them to use mathematical words such as greater, smaller, heavier, lighter, more, less etc Recognise, create and compare patterns Supports children’s understanding of shape and size including 2D and 3D shapes.

What can you do to help your child’s mathematical development??? Numbers to learn Practise counting at any time-climbing the stairs, shopping etc Play simple board games Sing number rhymes and songs together Try problem solving- I only have 2 apples but there are 4 of us. What shall I do?

Understanding of the World Helps children to gain an understanding of their world Encourages them to look at changes over time To learn about communities and traditions Encourages them to explore and investigate Will give your children the opportunity to understand and use information and communication technology

Expressive arts & design Inspires children to explore colour and colour changes. Helps them to explore shape and texture using all of their senses. Develops an interest in music, singing and music-making. Develops confidence and imagination. Helps to develop designing and making skills

Our next workshop is on November 5th at 9.00am Ways to help your child learn phonics. We hope you can join us!

Thank-you for coming and please have a look at the tables showing some of the things you can share with your child, and the benefits in doing so.