Children are born ready, able and eager to learn. They actively reach out to interact with other people and the world around them, however, development is not an automatic process. It depends on each unique child having opportunities to interact in positive relationships and enabling environments. At Waterbeach we strive to enable this through the Characteristics of Effective learning. These are;
Playing and exploring
- Finding out and exploring
- Playing with what they know
- Be willing to have a go
Active learning
- Being involved and concentrating
- Persevering
- Enjoying achievements
Creating and thinking critically
- Having their own ideas
- Making links
- Choosing ways to do things
At Waterbeach, we also think about the individual needs, interests and stages of development of every child in our care. We will support learning through three prime areas;
Personal, social 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
As well as the prime areas, we plan activities in the following areas of learning and development. These are known as the specific areas;
Literacy
- Reading
- Writing
Mathematics
- Numbers
- Shape, space and measures
Understanding of the world
- People and Communities
- The world
- Technology
Expressive arts and design
- Exploring and using media and materials
- Being imaginative