KNOWLEDGE AND UNDERSTANDING OF THE WORLD
Principles
Give particular attention to:
* Activities based on first-hand experiences that encourage exploration, observation, problem solving, prediction, critical thinking, decision making and discussion (p82)
* An environment with a wide range of activities indoors and outdoors that stimulate children's interest (p82)
* Supplementary experience and information for children with sensory impairment (p82)
Early learning goals
* Investigate objects and materials by using all of their senses as appropriate (p86)
* Find out about and identify some features of living things, objects and events they observe (p86) Stepping stones
* Show curiosity, observe and manipulate objects (p86)
* Describe simple features of objects and events (p86)
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Principles
Give particular attention to:
* Children using and learning through all their senses (p102)
* Providing a range of and sufficient small objects to handle (p103) Early learning goals
* Handle tools, objects, construction and malleable materials with increasing control (p114)
Stepping stones
* Engage in activities requiring hand-eye co-ordination (p114)
* Manipulate materials to achieve a planned effect (p114)
Creative development
Principles
Give particular attention to:
* A wide range of activities that children can respond to by using many senses (p116)
* Opportunities for children to express their ideas through a wide range of types of representation (p116)
* Opportunities for children with visual impairment to access and have physical contact with artefacts, materials, spaces and movements...
opportunities for children with hearing impairment to experience sound through physical contact with instruments and other sources of sound (p116) Early learning goals
* Explore colour, texture, shape, form and space in two or three dimensions (p120)
* Use their imagination in art and design, music, dance, imaginative and role play and stories (p124)
* Respond in a variety of ways to what they see, hear, smell, touch and feel (p126) Stepping stones
* Begin to describe textures (p120)
* Use one object to represent another (p124)
* Try to capture experiences and responses with music, dance, paint and other materials and words (p126)
PERSONAL, SOCIAL AND EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Principles
Give particular attention to:
* Ensuring that there is time and space for children to focus on activities and experiences and develop their own interests (p28)
* Planning experiences that help children develop autonomy and the disposition to learn (p28)
Early learning goals
* Continue to be interested, excited and motivated to learn (p32)
* Be confident to try new activities, initiate ideas and speak in a familiar group (p32)
* Select and use activities and resources independently (p40) Stepping stones
* Have a strong exploratory impulse (p32)
* Display high levels of involvement in activities (p32)
* Operate independently within the environment and show confidence in linking up with others for support and guidance (p40)
COMMUNICATION, LANGUAGE AND LITERACY
Principles
Give particular attention to:
* Providing opportunities for children to communicate thoughts, ideas and feelings and build up relationships with adults and each other (p44)
* Incorporating communication, language and literacy development in all planned activities (p44)
Early learning goals
* Interact with others, negotiating plans and activities and taking turns in conversation (p48)
* Sustain attentive listening, responding to what they have heard by relevant comments, questions or actions (p50)
* Extend their vocabulary, exploring the meanings and sounds of new words (p52)
Stepping stones
* Question why things happen and give explanations (p50)
* Build up vocabulary that reflects the breadth of their experiences (p52)
MATHEMATICAL DEVELOPMENT
Principles
Give particular attention to:
* Many different activities, some of which will focus on mathematical development and some of which will draw out the mathematical learning in other activities, including observing numbers and patterns in the environment and daily routines (p68)
* Activities that are imaginative and enjoyable (p68)
Early learning goals
* Count reliably up to ten everyday objects (p74)
* Use language such as 'circle' or 'bigger' to describe the shape and size of solids and flat shapes (p80)
Stepping stones
* Willingly attempt to count, with some numbers in the correct order (p74)
* Show curiosity and observation by talking about shapes (p80)
