There are seven areas of learning and development each with ‘development matters’ to support progress towards the early learning goals which children are expected to achieve at the age of five or by the end of their reception year. These areas are divided into three prime and four specific areas with children mostly developing in the prime areas first.

Prime areas

• Communication and language
• Personal, social and emotional
• Physical development

Specific areas

• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world
• Expressive arts and design

Further information for parents about the EYFS can be accessed at: http://www.foundationyears.org.uk/

At The Learning Zone we believe that children’s early experiences should be happy, stimulating, exciting and fun. Young children learn best when they feel safe and secure enough to be active, to play and explore and to engage in creative and critical thinking which takes place both indoors and outside.

Regular circle times or small group activities provide opportunities to focus on targeted learning for example children recognising their own name, learning and using numbers, phonics or discussing emotions. There is always time for the children to talk and share their own experiences and feelings with their peers and grown ups, this is also implemented in their play.

Characteristics:
Playing and Exploring - Engagement

Finding out and exploring
* Showing curiosity about objects, events and people.
* Using senses to explore the world around
* Engaging in open ended activity
* Showing particular interest
Playing with what they know
* Pretending objects are things from their experience
*Representing their experiences in play
* Taking on a role in their play
* Acting out experiences with other people
Being willing to 'have a go'
* Initiating activities
* Seeking challenge
* Showing a 'can do' attitude
* Taking risk, engaging in new experiences, and learning from failures.

Active Learning - Motivation

Being involved and concentrating
* Maintaining focus on their activity for a period of time
* Showing high levels of energy and fascination
* Not easily distracted
* Paying attention to detail
Keeping on trying
* Persisting with activity when challenges occur
* Showing a belief that more effort or a different approach will pay off
* Bouncing back after difficulties
Enjoying achieving what they set out to do
* Showing satisfaction in meeting their own goals
* Being proud of how they accomplished something - not just the end result
* Enjoying meeting challenges for their own sake rather than external rewards or praise

Creating and Thinking Critically - Thinking

Having their own ideas
* Thinking of ideas
* Finding ways to solve problems
* Finding new ways to do things
Making links
* Making links and noticing patterns in their experience
* Making prediction
* Testing their ideas
* Developing ideas of grouping, sequences, cause and effect
Choosing ways to do things
* Planning, making decisions about how to approach a task, solve a problem and reach a goal
* Checking how well their activities are going
* Changing strategy as needed
* Reviewing how well the approach worked
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