Better Tuition

This is part of a series of posts about the Early Years Foundation Stage (read part one here and part two – the Prime Areas – here).

The Early Learning Goals are divided into Prime and Specific Areas.  Yesterday we explained the Prime Areas – today’s post will explain the Specific Areas.  These are the subject areas your child can expect to cover by the end of their Reception year.

Find out about the Early Years Foundation Stage at www.bettertuition.co.uk.

The Specific Areas:

Literacy

Reading:

Children learn to read and understand simple sentences. They use phonics to sound out words. They also read some common irregular words. They understand the texts they read.

Writing:
Children learn to use phonics to write words in ways which match their spoken sounds. They also write some irregular common words. They write simple sentences, which can be read by themselves and others.  Some words are spelt correctly and others can be understood although they are not correctly spelled.

Mathematics

Numbers:

Children learn to count reliably with numbers from 1 to 20, place them in order and say which number is one more or one less than a given number. Using quantities and objects, they add and subtract two single-digit numbers and count on or back to find the answer. They solve problems, including doubling, halving and sharing.

Shape, space and measures:
Children learn to talk about size, weight, capacity, position, distance, time and money, to compare quantities and objects and to solve problems. They recognise, create and describe patterns. They explore characteristics of everyday objects and shapes and use mathematical language to describe them.

Understanding the world

People and communities:

Children talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members. They learn that other children don’t always enjoy the same things, and are sensitive to this. They learn about similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions.

The world:

Children learn about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things. They talk about their own immediate environment. They make observations of animals and plants.

Technology:
Children learn that technology is used in places such as homes and schools. They select and use technology for particular purpose

Expressive arts and design

Exploring and using media and materials:

Children learn to sing songs, make music and dance, and experiment with ways of changing them. They safely use and explore a variety of materials, tools and techniques, experimenting with colour, design, texture, form and function.

Being imaginative:

Children learn use their imagination. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories.

This post is part of a series on what to expect in Nursery and Reception (the Early Years Foundation Stage).  Yesterday we gave a brief overview of nursery; today we will look at the Early Learning Goals.

Find out about Early Learning Goals at www.bettertuition.co.uk.

The Early Learning Goals are the main areas your child’s teacher will focus on during Reception and Nursery.  They are divided into prime and specific areas.  Today we will look at the Prime Areas and tomorrow we will look at the Specific Areas.

The Prime Areas

1.  Communication and language

Listening and attention:
Children learn to listen attentively in a range of situations. They listen to stories, give their attention to what others say and respond appropriately, while engaged in another activity.

Understanding:
Children learn to follow instructions involving several ideas or actions. They answer ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about their experiences and in response to stories or events.

Speaking:
Children learn to express themselves effectively, showing awareness of listeners’ needs. They use past, present and future forms accurately when talking about events that have happened or are to happen in the future. They develop their own narratives and explanations by connecting ideas or events.

2.  Physical development:

Moving and handling:
Children develop good control and co-ordination in large and small movements. They learn to move confidently in a range of ways, safely negotiating space. They learn to handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing.

Health and self-care:
Children learn the importance for good health of physical exercise, and a healthy diet, and talk about ways to keep healthy and safe. They manage their own basic hygiene and personal needs successfully, including dressing and going to the toilet independently.

3.  Personal, social and emotional development:

Self-confidence and self-awareness:
Children develop confidence to try new activities, and say why they like some activities more than others. They are confident to speak in a familiar group.  They say when they do or don’t need help.

Managing feelings and behaviour:
Children learn to talk about how they and others show feelings, talk about their own and others’ behaviour, and its consequences, and know that some behaviour is unacceptable. They work as part of a group or class, and understand and follow the rules.

Making relationships:
Children learn to take turns with others. They take account of one another’s ideas about how to organise their activity. They form positive relationships with adults and other children.

These are the Prime Areas: together with the Specific Areas (literacy, mathematics, understanding the world and expressive arts and design), they make up the Early Learning Goals.

This document is an edited version of the Department for Education’s Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage.  All information is correct at the time of publication.  The full framework may be accessed at http://tinyurl.com/87xmlhv.

Image courtesy of pat138241 / FreeDigitalPhotos.net