Personal, Social and Emotional Development

Children have a sense of personal worth. They show increasing self-confidence, self-control and self-discipline. They enjoy relationships with adults and other children and can work both independently or as part of a group. They are learning to share, take turns, follow and lead. They are becoming more sensitive to the needs and feelings of others. They demonstrate consideration for others by caring for and helping one another. They have some understanding of rules and routines and engage in acceptable behaviour.

Children show some independence in dressing and in personal hygiene. They are eager to explore new learning. They persevere with tasks and seek help when needed, and take pleasure in their achievements. They are learning to treat living things and the environment with respect, care and concern.

Physical Development

Children enjoy physical play and sense of freedom it brings. They have developed an awareness of space and of others, and are beginning to use space imaginatively. They move confidently with increasing confidence and skill. They understand simple rules and can use tools and equipment appropriately and safely.

Creative/Aesthetic Development

Children explore a variety of materials, appreciating colour, shape, texture and sound. They express their ideas, communicate feelings, use their imagination and make simple representations using a range of materials. These representations become more detailed as their ability to concentrate increases. They develop manipulative skills as they handle appropriate tools and instruments correctly. They talk about their work. They begin to value their own and other children's work. They learn songs, listen and respond to music, and make their own music by singing, clapping and playing simple percussion instruments.

Language Development

Children show evidence of a growing vocabulary and the development of listening and conversational skills. They express thoughts, ideas and feelings with increasing confidence and fluency. They talk about their experiences, ask questions and follow directions and instruction. They listen and respond to stories, nursery rhymes, poems, jingles and songs. They engage in role-play, using appropriate language to express their feelings.

Children enjoy books and know how to handle them carefully and appropriately. They are aware that the printed word has meaning and that it should be read from left to right. They recognise their own first name.

Children create pictures to convey thoughts or feelings. They experiment using symbols and patterns and engage in early attempts at writing using a variety of drawing, painting and writing materials.

Early Mathematical Experiences

Children begin to understand early concepts of size and quantity. They use mathematical language such as heavy, light, full, empty, long, short, more, another, big and little in relevant contexts. Through talking about daily routines and seasonal events, and waiting to take turns, they show an awareness of time. They begin to understand and use positional words, such as, in front of, behind, above and below. They talk about shapes in their environment.

Children solve problems as they play, questioning, predicting and experimenting. In the course of their play they sort, match, order, sequence and count. They learn number rhymes and songs, and listen to stories, which have an element of mathematics in them.

Early Experiences in Science and Technology

Children observe, explore, investigate and select materials and equipment in a range of situations. They ask questions about why things happen and how things work. As they work with a variety of materials, they use skills such as, cutting, sticking, folding, pouring and building. They care for and respect living things and handle them sensitively. They begin to recognise parts of the body and identify a variety of familiar sounds. They talk about their observations and make simple predictions, for example, about what would happen if water were added to sand.

Knowledge and Appreciation of the Environment

Children show interest in, and are learning to care for, their environment. Through play activities and other experiences, they learn the names of play materials and equipment. They develop relationships with adults and other children. They talk about themselves, their home, their pre-school setting and the school to which they will transfer.

They know about some of the people who work within the setting and the local community. They are becoming aware of some environmental issues. They show an awareness of space and are familiar with some positional and directional words.

Children talk about their families and events in their lives both past and present. Through talking about items on the nature/interest table and seasonal and festive events, listening to stories and taking part in daily routines, they begin to show an awareness of time.

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