Aistear : the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework Principles and Themes

1. Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum FrameworkPrinciples and Themes

2. Overview of presentation Purpose To introduce Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework To look in detail at the Framework’s Principles Themes 2 2

3. Aistear, a journey .... 3

4. For whom? Why? Aistear is for all children from birth to six years. can be used in the range of settings: childminding settings sessional services full and part-time daycare settings infant classes in primary schools children’s own homes. helps children to grow and develop as confident and competent learners. 4 4

5. Aistear - What’s in it? 5

6. Principles and Themes 6

7. Aistear’s 12 principles 7

8. Principle: Play and hands-on experiences Much of children’s early learning and development takes place through play and hands-on experiences. Through these, children explore social, physical and imaginary worlds. These experiences help them to manage their feelings, develop as thinkers and language users, develop socially, be creative and imaginative, and lay the foundations for becoming effective communicators andlearners. 8

9. Principle: From the child’s perspective • Play is important to me, and it is important for my learning and development. … Watch how I play, and see how you can support me. • Give me time and space to play with other children. When I play with them I learn about co-operation, about how to deal with conflict, about how others think and feel, and what different actions and things mean. … You can help me to learn … when we play together. • Provide me with objects, toys and equipment that reflect my own and others’ cultures. … Let me experience the different types of play … • Involve me in lots of meaningful, hands-on experiences in order to learn, to develop, and to become independent. ... 9

10. Aistear’s themes Identity and Belonging Well-being 10 10

11. Aistear’s themes Exploring and Thinking Communicating 11 11

12. Presenting children’s learning and development through themes:a) dispositions b) skillsc) attitudes and valuesd) knowledge and understandings 12

13. Theme: Well-being • Children will • bestrong psychologically and socially • be as healthy and fit as can be • be creative and spiritual • develop positive outlooks on learning and on life 13

14. Children will develop strong self-identities and feel respected and affirmed as individuals have a sense of group identity where links with their family and community are acknowledged and extended express theirrights andrespect the identity, rights and views of others see themselves as capable learners Theme: Identity and Belonging 14

15. Children will develop non-verbalcommunication skills use language with growing confidence and competence make sense of their experiences through language express themselves creatively and imaginatively Theme: Communicating 15

16. Children will develop increasingly complex strategies for observing, thinking, exploring, understanding, and problem-solving use symbolic representation learn about and make sense of the world develop a positive image of themselves as learners, and come to see themselves as explorers and thinkers Theme: Exploring and Thinking 16

17. Sample learning opportunities Each theme • has ideas and suggestions for experiences and activities • presents sample learning opportunities for 3 overlapping age groups Toddlers: 12 months to 3 years Babies: birth to 18 months Young children: 2½ to 6 years

18. Find out more National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) 24 Merrion Square, Dublin 2 W: www.ncca.ie/earlylearning and www.ncca.ie/aisteartoolkit E: earlylearning@ncca.ie