Hands-On Education provides an engaging approach to teaching reception-aged students by
integrating hands-on, play-based
activities that align with the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework. These
activities cover key developmental
areas such as communication and language, literacy, mathematics, and physical
development, among others. For example,
sensory play like lavender-scented rice bins or outdoor scavenger hunts fosters
curiosity and fine motor skills, while
creative tasks like crafting story stones or baking enhance literacy and math
understanding. By allowing children to
actively explore, experiment, and create, this method not only improves retention but
also promotes critical thinking,
problem-solving, and social-emotional growth. Hands-On Education’s free resources and
structured activities make it easy
for educators to deliver a holistic learning experience tailored to young learners'
needs.
What is EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) and what does it entail?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) is a statutory framework in England that sets
standards for the learning,
development, and care of children from birth to five years old. It applies to all
Ofsted-registered early years
providers, including nurseries, preschools, childminders, and reception classes. The
EYFS ensures children are
prepared for school through play-based learning and structured activities while
promoting their safety and
well-being. The framework emphasizes quality and consistency in early education,
partnership with parents, and
equality of opportunity to support every child’s development.
The EYFS framework is divided into seven areas of learning and development,
categorized into three prime
areas — Communication and Language, Physical Development, and Personal, Social, and
Emotional Development — and
four specific areas — Literacy, Mathematics, Understanding the World, and Expressive
Arts and Design. These
areas are interconnected, with the prime areas forming the foundation for further
learning. For example, activities may involve storytelling to develop language
skills or creative play to enhance physical coordination. The framework also
includes Early Learning Goals (ELGs), which outline developmental milestones
children are expected to achieve by age five.
In addition to learning goals, the EYFS includes assessment requirements such as the
Progress Check at age two
and the EYFS Profile at the end of the reception year. These assessments rely on
observations rather than formal
tests to track a child’s progress. The framework also outlines safeguarding and
welfare requirements to ensure
children’s health and safety. By providing a holistic approach to early childhood
education, the EYFS supports
children’s overall development and prepares them for a smooth transition into Year
1.
What subjects are covered in the Early Years Foundation Stage in England?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in England encompasses seven key areas of
learning and development, designed
to support the holistic growth of children from birth to five years old. These areas
are divided into three prime areas and four specific areas. The prime areas, which
are foundational for all other learning, include
Communication and Language, Physical Development,
and Personal, Social,
and Emotional Development. These focus on skills like effective
communication, motor coordination, and
emotional well-being.
The four specific areas build upon the prime areas and include
Literacy,
Mathematics, Understanding the World, and
Expressive Arts and
Design. Literacy involves reading, writing, and phonics; Mathematics
focuses on numbers, shapes, and
problem-solving; Understanding the World encourages exploration of the environment,
technology, and cultural
awareness; while Expressive Arts and Design nurture creativity through art, music,
dance, and imaginative play.
All these areas are interconnected and delivered through play-based learning,
adult-led activities, and
child-initiated exploration. This approach ensures children develop essential
skills, knowledge, and curiosity in a
supportive environment, preparing them for a smooth transition to Year 1 of the
National Curriculum.
What does the EYFS achieve and how is it tied to the Early Learning Goals?
The Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) aims to provide a strong foundation for
children’s learning and development
by ensuring they are prepared for the transition to Year 1. It achieves this by
focusing on holistic growth across
seven areas of learning, fostering skills such as communication, physical
coordination, emotional resilience,
literacy, and numeracy. The framework emphasizes play-based learning, positive
relationships, and enabling
environments to support children’s individual needs while promoting curiosity and
creativity. By the end of the
EYFS, children are expected to meet specific developmental milestones known as Early
Learning Goals (ELGs).
The ELGs are closely tied to the EYFS framework as they define the levels of
development children should achieve by
the end of their reception year. These goals are grouped into seven key areas of
learning:
- Communication and Language: Listening, understanding, and
speaking skills.
- Personal, Social, and Emotional Development: Self-regulation,
managing self, and building
relationships.
- Physical Development: Gross and fine motor skills.
- Literacy: Comprehension, word reading, and writing.
- Mathematics: Number understanding and numerical patterns.
- Understanding the World: Knowledge of people, communities, and
the natural world.
- Expressive Arts and Design: Creativity through materials and
imaginative expression.
The ELGs serve as benchmarks for assessing children’s progress through observations
and formative assessments.
Practitioners use these goals to identify whether a child is emerging, meeting
expectations, or exceeding them in
each area. This helps educators plan next steps in learning, ensure readiness for
primary school, and support
overall development effectively.
Why do the Early Learning Goals exist and how important are they for reception aged
children's education?
The Early Learning Goals (ELGs) exist to provide a clear set of developmental
milestones that children are expected
to achieve by the end of the reception year. They are an integral part of the Early
Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
framework, offering a structured way to assess children’s progress across seven key
areas of learning. These goals
ensure that children develop essential skills in communication, literacy, numeracy,
physical development, and
social-emotional growth, which are crucial for their readiness to transition into
Year 1. By outlining specific
expectations, ELGs help educators and parents understand a child’s developmental
needs and achievements.
These goals are critical for reception-aged children’s education because they:
- Support holistic development: ELGs nurture intellectual,
physical, emotional, and social
growth, ensuring children are well-rounded and ready for future learning.
- Provide measurable benchmarks: They allow teachers to assess
whether a child is emerging,
meeting, or exceeding expectations in areas like literacy and numeracy.
- Promote school readiness: ELGs prepare children for the
structured environment of primary
school by fostering foundational skills needed for academic success.
- Encourage individualized learning: Teachers can tailor their
approaches based on each child’s
progress toward the goals, ensuring personalized support.
The importance of ELGs lies in their ability to guide educators in creating enabling
environments and engaging
activities that foster curiosity and a love for learning. They also provide parents
with insights into their child’s
development, enabling collaborative support between home and school. Ultimately,
ELGs play a vital role in setting
children on a path toward lifelong learning and achievement.
How can home educating parents teach their children in reception through Hands-On
Education?
Home educating parents can effectively teach their reception-aged children using
Hands-On Education by incorporating
interactive, play-based activities that align with the Early Years Foundation Stage
(EYFS) framework. Hands-On
Education provides free resources and structured activities that cover key
developmental areas such as Communication
and Language, Literacy, Mathematics, Physical Development, and Understanding the
World. Parents can use these
resources to create engaging lessons that encourage active participation and
exploration.
For example, parents can:
- Use sensory activities: Create sensory bins with rice or sand
to develop fine motor skills and
introduce concepts like counting or letter recognition.
- Incorporate outdoor learning: Plan nature walks to explore the
environment, collect natural
materials for crafts, or practice counting and patterns with objects like leaves
and stones.
- Engage in creative arts: Encourage drawing, painting, or
storytelling to enhance creativity and
communication skills.
- Practice literacy skills: Use phonics games, DIY storybooks, or
interactive storytelling
sessions to build reading and writing abilities.
- Explore mathematics through play: Use everyday objects like
blocks or kitchen utensils for
counting, sorting, and simple addition or subtraction tasks.
By integrating these hands-on activities into daily routines, parents can make
learning enjoyable while fostering
critical thinking, problem-solving, and social-emotional development. Hands-On
Education’s accessible resources
ensure that home education remains engaging and aligned with EYFS goals.
