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

E: earlylearning@ncca.ie