Session 8

• Early years
• Lower Secondary (Key Stage 3)
• Further Education (Key Stage 5)

Performance outcome 1

Support and promote children's play, development and early education. 

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Session 8 

T - level in Education and Early Years - Year 2 

Learning objectives

By the end of the session all learners will :

Further extend their understanding of the Birth to 5 Matters 2021 guidance.

Explain the Forest school approach to teaching and learning.  

Explore Rudolf Steiner;s theory of play (The Steiner Approach)

Grasp the concept of mythology and ancient philosophical approaches.

Understand the requirements of project 3 for this performance outcome. 

Starter 

Using FigJam reflect on your research from last session on Friday & summarise key information that you found about the Birth to 5 Matters 2021 guidance, 

Understanding Birth to 5 Matters 2021

Birth to 5 Matters have been developed as a guidance by the EY sector (16 organisations), the intent of this guidance is to support practitioners in implementing the EYFS 2024 requirements. 

The 16 organisations involved have their logos on the inside of the cover. They promote the importance of implementing diversity and being aware of current changes,

It is a non statutory guidance that practitioners are encouraged to use to implement the requirements of the EYFS.

The guidance promotes the importance of the children voice and inclusive practice, their is am emphasise on meaningful play.

The UNCRC 1989 influences the purpose of this guidance, focusing on the importance of children's rights and their voice.

Understanding Birth to 5 Matters 2021

Some examples of important information:

Page 9 - Promoting voice and inclusion 

Page 10 & 11 - Play 

Page 12 & 13- Care 

Page 16 - Transitions

The above are only a small part of the information that is present in this guidance, much of this information will need to be used in your exams and can be used in your structured observations as well. 

In assignment 1 when you create activity plans & assignment 3 observations , you will need to provide information from this guidance as well as Development Matters 2023 & EYFS 2024. 

"Cognitive self regulation ... supports focusing and attention... problem solving" (bithto5matters:2021: p21)

Forest school approach to teaching and learning 

Forest school in the UK has been increasing in demand more recently in the present day, in reality the concept of outdoor plan dates back to the 19th Century.

The original concept of this theory involved many philosophers & educators.

Wordsworth, Ruskin, Baden Powell, Leslie Paul (who founded the Woodcraft Folk in 1925)

Kurt Hahn (who founded Gordonstone and was the inspiration for our first outdoor education centres).

Susan Isaacs and the Macmillan sisters all laid the foundations for what is known as Forest School today.

During the 1970's the education system moved towards a outcome centred focus in attempt to improve literacy and numeracy =. There was then a growth of educational models arising. In 1990 the Forest school emerged more prominantly. 

Forest school approach to teaching and learning 

Some of the key features of Forest school: 

- Should be run by a level 3 qualified. 

- Needs to located in a wooded environment. 

- Follows a child centred pedagogy when children learn about risk. 

- It has a high adult: child ratio

- Observations of the children are carefully considered in relation to their environment. 

Care for the natural world should be apart of their practice. 

Originally the forest school was a singular approach to learning however now more presently the approach has been adopted by school's as part of their curricula.

Some school's have their own forest school within the mainstream school. 

Benefits include: 

• Open air learning spaces 
• Deep connection with the outdoor environment. 
• Holistic development 
• Practical skills 
• Personal growth
• Self directed play 
• Emphasis on risky play 

Mind map / list all of the benefits that can be achieved through the forest school approach in Early Years.

Explore Rudolf Steiner;s theory of play (The Steiner Approach)

Rudolf Steiner was a philosopher who aimed to research social reform in education, although his background varies in medicine, science and agriculture his ideas developed the 'Waldorf Education' which also known as 'Steiner Education.'

Steiner believed the importance of being exposed to real - life experiences: such as cooking, cleaning and gardening. He was a form believer of how this can enhance individual well being. 

He further stated that  there is no limits to human education and that well being is just as important as holistic development. 

Steiner encouraged fantasy - based imaginative play that were stimulated by natural resources. 

The 1st Steiner school opened in 1919 in Germany, many other schools followed this practiced. All these schools followed the Steiner education curriculum which meant they adhered to National standards but the 'approach' to teaching was different.

The Steiner Curriculum to Education

In the Steiner curriculum they embedded the importance of gardening, music and mythology (greek educational concept).

The intention of this curriculum was to ensure children engaged in teaching practices that were creative and imaginative with a reduced emphasis on textbooks and rote learning. 

Children were encouraged to develop key skills of numeracy and literacy using children's hands on experiences. 

Growth of development was observed as 3 planes and the age ranges are different to how we know them. 

0 - 7 yearsm 7 - 14 years & 14 - 21 years.

 There is an emphasis placed on a student’s unique and individual pace of learning, with Steiner theory proposing that children will grasp concepts when they’re ready. The Steiner education curriculum is very child-focused.

Mythology in context

Greek Mythology is a term used to describe the original concepts of educational practices. Education has been around for a very long time, pre-historic philosophers developed and evolved the original principles of education. 

Socrates 469 - 399 BC

Ancient philosopher who was one of the first to explore educational practices. 

- Never being afraid to make mistakes. 

- Stretch and challenge your children. 

- Encourage meaningful play experiences allowing scope for sustained shared thinking. 

- Accept mistakes will happen and treat them as a learning opportunity.

Plato (427 - 327)

Plato was the student for Socrates, he followed his educational practices through and determined that educators need to accept the reality of what appears in the classroom. 

- Accepting behaviour traits are individualised and learning how to approach them.

- Understand the behaviour varies in accordance to the environment. 

Encouraging children to self reflect and understand right from wrong with their own behaviour.

Project based learning 

Print & finalise any re submission for project 1 information booklet.

For project 3 of this performance outcome, you will need a WT to demonstrate

"Reading a book with a small group of children using props"

You will further need:

Observe a checklist observation on your selected children to identify their mathematical development.

What can you do today? 

1. Complete re submission for project 1. 

2.Create and print your checklist for your mathematical based observation.