1. Bristol Early Years Characteristics of Effective Learning Materials
Introduction to
Bristol Early Years Characteristics of Effective Learning Materials

2. Aims of the Session
To reflect on the vital role of the CoEL in developing lifelong learners
To develop our understanding of the Characteristics, including Emotional Well-being
To become familiar with the new Bristol CoEL materials
To explore and share how these materials may be beneficial to promote the CoEL in your setting

3. Discuss the quotes on your table and how they relate to the Characteristics of Effective Learning then feedback your thoughts to the group in 5 minutes.

4. Successful attainment in high achievers appears to be dependent on the early development of exploratory, self managing attitudes and dispositions of these young children.
High Achieving White Working Class Boys Project
March 2016 Chris Pascal and Tony Bertram

5. If there is a consistent low level of well-being and or involvement, it is likely a child’s development will be threatened. The higher the levels of well-being and involvement we can achieve for the child, the more we can add to the child’s development.
Ferre Laevers

6. …..the first five years of a child’s life are crucial in establishing the way that they think, learn and behave.
Effective pre-school, primary and secondary education project, December 2015

7. …play is essential for children’s development, building their confidence as they learn to explore, to think about problems, and relate to others.
Statutory framework for the early years foundation stage (EYFS) 2017

8. Parental involvement has a greater impact on children’s well-being and achievement than any other factor.
Gutman and Frienstein 2007

9. The characteristics of effective learning describe factors which play a central role in a child’s learning and in becoming an effective learner. EYFSP handbook 2017

10. The ways in which the child engages with other people and the environment-playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically – underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner.
Development Matters in the early years foundation (EYFS 2012)

11. …creativity (in English) depends on mastering certain skills and acquiring a body of knowledge before being able to give expression to what’s in you. You can not be creative unless you understand how sentences are constructed, what words mean and how to use grammar. -Michael Gove, 2013

12. Principles of the Bristol CoEL
Fundamental for life-long learning
Emotional Well-being is at the heart of being a resilient, happy and resourceful person
Has a significant impact on children’s long term outcomes
Focuses on how children learn – values the process of learning
Inclusive for all

13. Purpose of the Pack
Raises the profile of the CoEL and ensure they are an integral part of planning and provision
Develops practitioners’ confidence and understanding
Supports reflective practice
Informs improvement to practice and provision
Enriches conversations with parents about learning
Improves outcomes for children

14. Explore the pack!

16. Bristol Early Years Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL)
This pack includes:
Guidance
Amended EYFS CoEL Strands
Bristol’s Early Years additional Emotional Well-being Strand
Questions to support the interpretation of the CoEL
Bristol Early Years CoEL Audit
Bristol Early Years CoEL Assessment
Bristol Early Years CoEL Cohort Tracker
CoEL Assessment Monitoring Sheet
April 2017

17. Bristol Early Years Characteristics of Effective Learning
GUIDANCE
INTRODUCTION:
Bristol believes that the Characteristics of Effective Learning are fundamental to every child as a lifelong learner. It is our responsibility as early years practitioners to support the development of these skills during these crucial formative years. Research* has shown that it is these skills that make a difference to children’s long term outcomes and to their ability to become happy, resourceful and resilient adults.
The Characteristics of Effective Learning and the Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and Development are all interconnected. The Characteristics focus on how children learn rather than what they learn. This distinction is important as it highlights the process of learning for young children.
The set of materials that have been developed is designed to deepen practitioner knowledge in terms of the Characteristics and to support the continued development of reflective practice. Identifying the Characteristics and deepening understanding will enable practitioners to provide an emotional and physical environment that will support the development of these vital skills and attitudes.
Bristol believes that children’s emotional well-being is central to their capacity to learn effectively therefore we have included an additional strand that focuses on this.
THE MATERIALS AND HOW THEY CAN BE USED
TOOLS TO DEEPEN KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING AND SUPPORT REFLECTIVE PRACTICE:
1. The EYFS Characteristics of Effective Learning strands
We have looked closely at the EYFS Characteristics of Effective Learning strands and added a few additional terms to the unique child column, informed by AcE, to further clarify the content. **AcE (the Accounting Early for Life Long Learning Programme) is an assessment tool that has been used by some settings in Bristol. A group of teachers from Early Years Specialist Settings have expanded the Positive Relationships and Enabling Environments columns to ensure that the content reflects high quality inclusive provision. Any additions are highlighted in red.
2. Bristol Early Years Emotional Well-Being strand
This additional strand has been developed using the AcE materials and the specialist knowledge of the working group members. It focuses on emotional literacy, being connected (attachment) and positive self-esteem and self-worth. Our hope is that by identifying these elements of emotional well-being practitioners will be more attuned to individual children and will be able to provide a secure emotional environment to enable children to flourish. We believe that the inclusion of this strand provides a more holistic view of a child’s development.
3. Questions to support the interpretation of Bristol EY Characteristics of Effective Learning
We have provided questions to support practitioners with interpreting and unpicking each of the four strands of the Characteristics. These could be used as a reflective tool during staff meetings or supervisions, to support staff making and writing up observations or to inform setting development plans or Bristol Standard submissions.

18.  Tools to Deepen Knowledge and Understanding and Support Reflective Practice

21. *Preferred mode of communication: This term is used in the document to include all forms of communication such as: Spoken English and or home language, British Sign Language, Symbol Systems, Makaton, Body Signing, Gesture, Objects of reference, TOBI’s (True Object Based Icons), Communication aids, Facial expressions, Body language, Eye contact and Braille

31. Over to You
Discuss how you might use the materials in your setting to:
-raise the profile of the CoEL in your setting
-narrow the gap and improve outcomes for children
-increase parental engagement
-further professional development

32. Celebrating Children’s Learning | East London Early Years ...
Celebrating Children’s Learning Early Years Assessment Materials.
These observations were contributed by nursery schools across
London to help practitioners.