Belonging, Being and Becoming: The Early Years Learning Framework for Australia (2009)
This is the national early learning framework for children from birth to five years. The Federal Government has developed the Early Years Learning Framework to ensure your child receives quality education programs in early childhood settings. This is a vital time for them to learn and develop. The framework’s vision is for all children to experience play-based learning that is engaged and builds success for life.
It is a guide for early childhood educators who work with children from birth to five years. They will use the framework in partnership with families, children’s first and most influential educators, to develop learning programs responsive to children’s ideas, interests, strengths and abilities and recognise that children learn through their play.
The Early Years Learning Framework describes childhood as a time of belonging, being and becoming:
- Belonging is the basis for living a fulfilling life. Children feel they belong because of the relationships they have with their family, community, culture and place.
- Being is about living here and now. Childhood is a special time in life and children need time to just ‘be’ – time to play, try new things and have fun.
- Becoming is about the learning and development that young children experience. Children start to form their sense of identity from an early age, which shapes the type of adult they will become.
Play is very important for children. Through play, babies and young children explore and learn to understand the world around them as they come to communicate, discover, imagine and create. When children play they are showing what they have learned and what they are trying to understand. This is why play is one of the foundations of the Early Years Learning Framework. By using this framework, educators will guide your child’s play by carefully designing learning activities and stimulating indoor and outdoor learning environments.
Relationships are also key. It is well known that children learn best when they have secure relationships with caring adults. When children from a very early age develop trusting relationships they feel more confident and able to explore and learn. Allies Early Learning embraces the fact that when children feel emotionally secure they learn through play to develop the skills and understandings they need to interact positively with others and gradually learn to take responsibility.
The framework focuses on your child’s learning. Educators will work with you in order to get to know your child well. They will create a learning program that builds on your child’s interests and abilities, and keep you in touch with your child’s progress.
Through the framework’s five learning goals educators will assist your child to develop:
- a strong sense of their identity
- connections with their world
- a strong sense of well being
- confidence and involvement in their learning
- effective communication skills.
By working together with families, educators can enhance a child’s learning and well being. As the most important person in your child’s life you can make a difference by talking regularly with your child’s early childhood educator and asking about your child’s learning. Information you provide allows educators to link your child’s experiences at home with the time they spend together in the early childhood setting.
To find out more visit https://www.education.gov.au/early-years-learning-framework