What to expect, when?
A guide to your child’s learning and development in the early years foundation stage
How Action for Children works with Department for Education
A guide to your child’s learning and development in the early years foundation stage
How Action for Children works with Department for Education
Prime areas of learning (particularly important in the first 3 years) | Specific areas of learning |
---|---|
— Personal, Social and Emotional Development | — Literacy |
— Physical Development | — Mathematics |
— Communication and Language | — Understanding the World |
— Expressive Arts and Design |
How to use this guide
The Early Years Foundation Stage Framework (EYFS) sets out the learning and development stages for children as they grow from birth to five years.
For those working in the early years – whether in a nursery, pre-school, a childminder or in a reception class in school – the EYFS outlines what they need to do to support your child.
The purpose of this booklet is to help you as a parent/carer* find out more about how your child is learning and developing during their first five years, in relation to the EYFS. Children develop more rapidly during the first five years of their lives than at any other time. This booklet has been written to help you as a parent know what to expect during these vitally important years by focusing on the seven areas of learning and development which are covered in the EYFS.
In this guide, your child’s first five years have been divided up into six age bands which overlap. This is because every child is different and children do not grow and develop at the same rate. It highlights what you might notice your child doing at these points.
Children learn and develop through playing, exploring, being active, creative and being asked questions to help their thinking. After each age band we give you an example of some ideas and tips as to how you can help your child’s learning and development. Page 34 details where you can find out more.
As you know, being a parent is very special and amazing as you watch your child grow up. It can also have challenges. We hope this booklet will help you to know how your child is developing by highlighting what to expect, but most importantly remembering that all children are different.
Communication and language and literacy are vital areas for you to enjoy supporting your child with. It is important that your child grows up to be a good communicator and a keen reader.
One way of using this booklet could be to use it as a reference – see what you notice your child can do. Use it as a prompt to explore and try new things together.
In using this booklet, if you feel unsure about your child’s learning and development you might want to speak to someone from your local children’s centre, your child’s key person, a childminder or a health professional.
To find out more about the EYFS, please visit www.foundationyears.org.uk/parents. For information about free early education and entitlement for 2, 3 and 4 year olds visit www.gov.uk/free-early-education
We thank the parents* who contributed to writing this booklet.
“This booklet is fantastic and will really help me know how well my child is developing and learning.
I have spent ages on Google trying to find out if Katie is where she should be – this is great!”
*At all points in this booklet when we refer to parents we include carers, family members and partners, of any gender
What to expect, when?
Guidance to your child’s learning and development in the early years foundation stage.
Birth - 11 months
What do you notice in your baby’s early growing?
Focus more on the prime areas of learning. Communication and early language is important: talk with your baby.
8 - 20 months
What do you notice as your baby starts rolling, touching things and playing with toys?
Focus more on the prime areas of learning. Communication and early language is important: look at books together.
16 - 26 months
Your child might be going to a nursery or childminder.
Discuss what you are noticing with them. Focus more on the prime areas of learning. Your child will enjoy sharing books with you.
22 - 36 months
What do you notice about your child as they start becoming more self confident and aware, and managing their feelings and behaviour?
Focus on the prime areas of learning and give more attention to the specific areas – including literacy. Enjoy books together. Read lots of different books.
30 - 50 months
What do you notice about your child as they grow in confidence?
Focus on the prime and specific areas of learning. Libraries are great places to visit with your child..
40 - 60 months
In this age band we list early learning goals which are the expectation for where children may have reached at the end of reception year at school.
Focus on the prime and specific areas of learning. Let your child read to you.
Birth – 11 months
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
You might notice that…
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
How can you help me with my learning?
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
Literacy
Reading
Resources to help:
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
8 – 20 months
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
You might notice that…
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
How can you help me with my learning?
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Resources to help:
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
16 – 26 months
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
You might notice that…
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
How can you help me with my learning?
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Resources to help:
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
22 – 36 months
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
You might notice that…
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
How can you help me with my learning?
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Resources to help:
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
30 – 50 months
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
You might notice that…
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
How can you help me with my learning?
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Speaking
Understanding
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Resources to help:
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
40 – 60 months
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
You might notice that…
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
How can you help me with my learning?
Personal, Social and Emotional Development
Making relationships
Self confidence and self awareness
Managing feelings and behaviour
Physical Development
Moving and handling
Health and self care
Communication and Language
Listening and attention
Understanding
Speaking
Literacy
Reading
Writing
Resources to help:
Mathematics
Numbers
Shape, space and measure
Understanding the World
People and communities
The world
Technology
Expressive Arts and Design
Exploring and using media and materials
Being imaginative
Where to go to learn more
If you feel unsure about your child’s development or have any concerns you might want to speak to someone from your local children’s centre, your child’s key person, a childminder or health professional.
For information about NHS services and support for parents visit:
www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/services-support-for-parents.aspx
To find a Sure Start Children’s Centre in your area visit: www.gov.uk/find-sure-start-childrens-centre
Source | Link | Resource | Support offered |
---|---|---|---|
Action for Children | www.actionforchildren.org.uk | Resources and guides | Range of resources to support with your child’s development |
Book Trust | www.booktrust.org.uk | Book Trust transforms lives by getting children and families reading. | Resources to support reading of all ages to develop the skills that will improve their opportunities in life |
Communication Trust | ican.org.uk/i-cans-talking-point/professionals/tct-resources | Small Talk. | For parents of children aged 0-5 to show where children are likely to be with their communication at a certain age. |
Top Tips Leaflet. | 10 Top Tips to help parents or professionals develop children and young people’s communication skills. | ||
Through the eyes of a child. | Four films full of useful advice on how parents can encourage their child to talk and interact with them. | ||
Misunderstood. | Information for those who want to find out more about supporting children and young people with speech, language and communication needs | ||
Listen up. | Listen up Resources to encourage listening, understanding, interaction and play | ||
Summer Talk. | Pack with games and activities that support families to encourage children’s communication skills when they are out and about this Summer. | ||
Families in the Foundation Years | foundationyears.org.uk/2019/08/parents-encouraging-your-toddlers-independence/ | Outline of information available to parents to help in making choices and plans. Links are also provided to other websites to offer you more information if you need it | This site is designed to help you work your way through the information and support on offer to help your child get off to a great start in life |
Family Information Centre | finder.familyandchildcaretrust.org | Information on services available to parents. | Your local Family Information Service (FIS) provides a range of information for parents from details of local childcare and early years provision to family activities in your area. |
katecairns.com | fivetothrive.org.uk/resources | Five to thrive. | Printed guides, posters, pop-up banners and a range of age-specific supplements are all available to support the implementation of five to thrive. |
Literacy Trust | literacytrust.org.uk/early-years/ | Early Words Together. | Early Words Together is a targeted, literacy peer education programme for families with children aged two to five that empowers parents to support their child’s early learning, through small groups run within an early years setting |
National Numeracy | www.nationalnumeracy.org.uk/ | How does what parents say about maths affect their children? | Falkirk Council Education Services have created a lovely video with some great suggestions for everyday maths activities |
Help Your Child With Numeracy: Age Range 3-7 | Clear descriptions of the ways in which maths is taught in schools today, as well as examples of the kinds of calculations children will learn at different ages. | ||
Parents in Touch | parentsintouch.co.uk/ | How I can help my under 5 year old. | Resources to help with maths, phonics, handwriting and English |
Play England | www.playengland.org.uk/resources-1 | Reports and guides. | Written by experts, the resources ensure that parents access to a wide-range of research, good practice and guidance to support them to increase children’s freedom to play |
Start4Life | www.nhs.uk/start4life | Support throughout pregnancy and as baby grows. | All the help and advice you need during pregnancy, birth and parenthood for mums, dads, family and friends. |