Seven areas of learning
There are seven areas of learning and development that must shape educational programmes in early years settings. All areas of learning and development are important and interconnected. Three areas are particularly crucial for igniting children's curiosity and enthusiasm for learning, and for building their capacity to learn, form relationships and thrive. These three prime areas are:
- Communication and language
- Physical development. Read more about the stages of physical development, PDF 18KB
Providers must also support children in four specific areas, through which the three prime areas are strengthened and applied. The specific areas are:
- Literacy
- Mathematics
- Understanding the world
- Expressive arts and design
Relevant resources
- Early writing - Power Point 4.5MB by Essex County Council
- Learning and development audit - Word, 31KB by Essex County Council
- Children thinking mathematically by National Strategies (Foundation Years website)
- Letters and sounds: Principles and practice of high quality phonics by National Strategies (Foundation Years website)
- Mark making matters by National Strategies (Foundation Years website)
- Numbers and patterns: laying foundations in mathematics by National Strategies (Foundation Years website)
The Department for Education (DfE) have produced a number of short early years foundation stage (EYFS) films, which are available on YouTube. This example looks at ideas to support children's understanding of number sequence.
The Early Years Early Writing Pathway document aims to give EYFS setting and reception classes the opportunity to audit the provision in place for writing, using Birth to Five matters, and consider the role adults play in this development. As part of the EYFS strategy, the document signposts parents to ways in which home learning can be supported, what prewriting activities look like and outcomes that can be expected at different stages, using the 'Making it Real' materials.