Development Matters
Early Years Foundation Stage
What Is Development Matters?
Development Matters is an important document that guides early years practitioners in delivering the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). This document was first published in 2012 and has been updated in 2021 to reflect changes in the EYFS framework. The document provides guidance on how to support children’s development and learning in the early years, from birth to age five.
The 2021 edition of Development Matters emphasizes the importance of play-based learning and the need for a holistic approach to children’s development. The document is divided into four main sections: the characteristics of effective learning, the prime areas of learning and development, the specific areas of learning and development, and the assessment and planning cycle.
The Characteristics of Effective Learning
The Characteristics of Effective Learning are an essential part of the Development Matters document, providing guidance on how to support children’s development and learning in the early years. These characteristics describe the different ways in which children learn and engage with the world around them.
They are divided into three categories:
- playing and exploring,
- active learning,
- and creating and thinking critically.
Playing and exploring
This involves children’s natural curiosity and their desire to explore and discover new things. Early years practitioners can support this characteristic by providing a range of open-ended resources and opportunities for children to explore and investigate. For example, providing a sensory table filled with different materials or setting up a nature corner with natural materials for children to examine and investigate.
Active learning
Active learning refers to children’s desire to be actively involved in their learning. This can include physical activities such as climbing, running, or playing games, as well as more focused activities such as problem-solving or investigating. Early years practitioners can support active learning by providing a range of experiences that challenge and engage children, and by encouraging children to take risks and explore their environment.
Creating and thinking critically
Creating and thinking critically involves children’s ability to develop their own ideas, solve problems and think critically. Early years practitioners can support this characteristic by providing opportunities for children to express themselves through a range of creative activities such as art, music, and drama. Practitioners can also encourage children to develop their problem-solving skills by providing opportunities for them to investigate and explore real-life situations and challenges.
Promoting the Characteristics of Effective Learning in early years settings is crucial for supporting children’s development and learning. By providing opportunities for children to play, explore, be active, and think critically, early years practitioners can help children to develop a strong foundation for future learning and success. These characteristics also help children to develop important life skills such as independence, resilience, and confidence, which will benefit them throughout their lives.
The Prime Areas of Learning and Development
The Prime Areas of Learning and Development are a fundamental part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Development Matters document. These areas are essential for children’s development in the early years, and they provide the foundation for learning and development in the specific areas.
The first prime area of learning and development is Communication and Language. This area encompasses all forms of communication, including verbal, nonverbal, and written. Early years practitioners can support children’s communication and language development by providing opportunities for children to engage in conversations, listen to stories, and participate in language-rich activities such as singing, rhyming, and reading.
The second prime area of learning and development is Physical Development. This area includes both fine and gross motor skills, such as crawling, walking, jumping, and holding a pencil. Early years practitioners can support children’s physical development by providing opportunities for children to engage in physical activities, such as climbing, running, and jumping, as well as fine motor activities such as drawing and painting.
The third prime area of learning and development is Personal, Social, and Emotional Development. This area encompasses children’s self-awareness, social skills, and emotional regulation. Early years practitioners can support children’s personal, social, and emotional development by providing opportunities for children to develop their self-confidence, social skills, and emotional resilience through activities such as role-playing, group play, and circle time.
The prime areas of learning and development are considered to be the building blocks for children’s learning and development in the specific areas of literacy, mathematics, understanding the world, and expressive arts and design. By providing a strong foundation in the prime areas, early years practitioners can help children to develop the skills, knowledge, and dispositions they need to succeed in school and beyond.
The Specific Areas of Learning and Development
The Specific Areas of Learning and Development are an essential part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Development Matters document. These areas are important for children’s intellectual and creative development, and they build on the skills and knowledge developed in the Prime Areas of Learning and Development.
The first specific area of learning and development is Literacy. This area encompasses children’s ability to read and write, and it includes skills such as phonics, word recognition, and comprehension. Early years practitioners can support children’s literacy development by providing opportunities for children to engage in activities such as storytelling, reading, and writing.
The second specific area of learning and development is Mathematics. This area encompasses children’s ability to understand and use mathematical concepts such as number, shape, and space. Early years practitioners can support children’s mathematics development by providing opportunities for children to engage in activities such as counting, sorting, and matching.
The third specific area of learning and development is Understanding the World. This area encompasses children’s ability to explore and understand the world around them, including people, places, and objects. Early years practitioners can support children’s understanding of the world by providing opportunities for children to explore and investigate their environment, such as through science experiments and field trips.
The fourth specific area of learning and development is Expressive Arts and Design. This area encompasses children’s ability to express themselves creatively, including through art, music, and drama. Early years practitioners can support children’s expressive arts and design development by providing opportunities for children to engage in activities such as drawing, painting, and role-playing.
By supporting children’s development in the specific areas of learning and development, early years practitioners can help children to develop a range of skills and knowledge that will prepare them for future learning and success. These areas are also important for children’s intellectual and creative development, helping to foster a love of learning and a desire to explore and discover the world around them.
The Assessment and Planning Cycle
The Assessment and Planning Cycle is an essential part of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) and Development Matters document. This cycle provides guidance on how to effectively assess and plan for children’s learning and development, ensuring that early years practitioners can provide tailored support that meets the needs of individual children.
The Assessment and Planning Cycle involves several key steps, including observation, assessment, planning, and review. Early years practitioners observe children’s learning and development in all areas, including the prime and specific areas of learning and development. They use a range of observation methods, including watching, listening, and questioning, to gain an understanding of each child’s strengths, interests, and areas for development.
Assessment involves using this information to make judgments about children’s progress and development, as well as identifying areas where additional support may be needed. Early years practitioners use a range of assessment methods, including formative assessment and summative assessment, to gain a clear picture of each child’s progress.
Planning involves using this information to plan activities and experiences that are tailored to each child’s needs, interests, and abilities. Early years practitioners use the Early Years Outcomes and Development Matters document as a guide, ensuring that they are providing opportunities for children to make progress in all areas of learning and development.
Review involves regularly reviewing each child’s progress and development, including their achievements and areas for development. Early years practitioners use this information to inform their ongoing assessment and planning, ensuring that they are providing the right support at the right time.
Conclusion
Development Matters is a great resource for early years practitioners. It provides guidance on how to support children’s development and learning in the early years, and it emphasizes the importance of play-based learning and a holistic approach to children’s development. By following the guidance provided in Development Matters, early years practitioners can help children to develop the skills, knowledge, and dispositions they need to thrive in school and beyond.
