aistear: the early childhood curriculum framework principles and themes
TRANSCRIPT
Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
Principles and Themes
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Overview of presentationPurpose
• To introduce Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
• To look in detail at the Framework’s
Principles
Themes
Aistear, a journey ....
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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.
User Guide Using Aistear alongside Síolta, the Infant Curriculum
and the Child Care (Pre-School) Regulations
Key Messages from the Research Papers
Summarising key points from research which underpin Aistear
Principles and Themes – WHAT?
Guidelines for Good Practice – HOW?
Well-beingIdentity and BelongingCommunicatingExploring and Thinking
PartnershipsInteractionsPlay Assessment
Aistear - What’s in it?
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Principles andThemes
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Aistear’s 12 principlesEarly childhood Connections
with others Learning and developing
Uniqueness Equality and
diversity Citizenship
Relationships The role of the
adult Parents and
families
Holistic Active Play; hands-on
experiences Relevant and
meaningful Communication
and language Learning
environment
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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 and learners.
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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. ...
Principle: From the child’s perspective
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Aistear’s themes
Well-being
Identity and Belonging
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Aistear’s themes
Exploring and Thinking
Communicating
Presenting children’s learning and development through themes:
a) dispositions b) skillsc) attitudes and valuesd) knowledge and understandings
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Children will
be strong psychologically and
socially
be as healthy and fit as can be
be creative and spiritual
develop positive outlooks on
learning and on life
Theme: Well-being
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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 their rights and respect the identity, rights and views of others
• see themselves as capable learners
Theme: Identity and Belonging
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Children will
• develop non-verbal communication skills
• use language with growing confidence and competence
• make sense of their experiences through language
• express themselves creatively and imaginatively
Theme: Communicating
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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
Sample learning opportunities
Each theme • has ideas and suggestions for experiences and activities • presents sample learning opportunities for 3 overlapping age groups
Babies:
birth to 18 months
Toddlers:
12 months to 3 years
Young children:
2½ to 6 years
Find out moreNational Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA)24 Merrion Square, Dublin 2
W: www.ncca.ie/earlylearning and www.ncca.ie/aisteartoolkit