Portfolio Page 8

Portfolio Page 8
Emma Fitzpatrick 2107606
The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) (Early Years Learning Framework, 2013) provides practices that supports and enhances children’s learning in the Early Childhood area. It supports children from ages birth to five (EYLF, 2013). The Early Years Learning Framework has a motto of – Belonging, Being and Becoming. Belonging is to help support children by giving them the opportunity to be a part of the community, being – allowing the children to explore and learn in their own time and begin to develop their own ideas, becoming – supporting the children to their full potentials (Campus Kindy, 2013).
As provided by the Early Years Learning Framework, there are five key learning areas: Language and Literacy, Mathematical Thinking, Scientific Thinking, Social Relationships and The Arts. It has also provided five learning outcomes:

1. Children have a strong sense of identity.
2. Children have connected with and contribute to their world.
3. Children have a strong sense of wellbeing.
4. Children are confident and involved learners.
5. Children are effective communicators.
(EARLY YEARS LEARNING FRAMEWORK, 2013.)
The Language and Literacy learning area aims to provide learning that supports and builds on children’s knowledge to achieve the best outcome for the individual. The Early Years Learning Framework aims to provide children with daily communication and interactions with children and adults, through conversation, experiences, group time, stories and song. Through this they begin to develop awareness of literacy skills that are around in their daily life such as the importance of communication. It encourages children to begin reading books, making their own stories through play which helps them to learn their surroundings (Early Years Learning Framework, Early Childhood Australia, 2013).
The Mathematical Thinking area also aims to provide learning that supports the needs and enhances the knowledge to achieve the best outcome possible for the individual. The children will explore a range of different concepts through initiated play to do with mathematical thinking. They will explore size, develop a sense of spacial awareness, begin and learn to count and read numbers. They will develop problem solving skills that will help them to overcome problems not only in mathematical areas. Sorting, patterning and measuring are included in teacher initiated play (Early Childhood Australia Early Years Learning Framework, 2013).
At my placement kindergarten, children are put through a huge range of play based activities that involve the enhancing of literacy and numeracy skills. For example, on a 40 degree day, the teachers set out a water play activity. This activity was a large plastic tub full of water and had a range of measuring cups, jugs, spoons and test tube plastic objects. The children were immediately engaged in the activity, as it was hot and there was water. The children were automatically participating in a teacher directed activity without having to enforce any activities. They were measuring different jugs and seeing how much water would fit into a measuring cup compared to a jug.

3.1  Offers a careful interpretation & analysis of children’s early literacy/numeracy skills & interests

Australia, E. C. (March 20, 2013). Early Years Learning Framework. Retrieved 28/11/2013, from http://www.earlychildhoodaustralia.org.au/resource_themes/eylf_early_years_learning_framework.html

Kindalin (2013). 5 Key Learning Areas - Language and Literacy. Retrieved 28/11/2013, from http://www.kindalin.com.au/kindalin/5-key-learning-areas/Language-Literacy.html

Kindalin (2013). 5 Key Learning Areas - Mathematical Thinking. Retrieved 28/11/2013, from http://www.kindalin.com.au/kindalin/5-key-learning-areas/Mathematical-Thinking.html

Kindy, C. (2013). Early Years Learning Framework. Retrieved 28/11/2013, from http://campuskindergarten.org.au/early-learning-framework