Both the Framework and the Guide are designed to engage educators in critical thinking, reflection and inquiry. As such they are not prescriptive or ‘recipe’ books – but rather are intended to provoke, inspire and challenge. They recognise that there is not one ‘right way’ to provide for children’s learning. They provide a range of ways to think about children’s learning. If we think there is just one right way and if we have no doubt about the quality of our provision, we leave little room for reflection, for questioning or for change. The sections that follow this Introduction all have a similar format. Each major section starts with a quote from the Framework and then is divided into the following segments which help you to explore particular concepts in the Guide:
Talk and reflect about—includes reflective questions and suggestions for going deeper Try out—possible entry points Hear about—stories and models of practice Find more about—links to other resources. Photos are included to illustrate the links between the Principles, Practice and Learning Outcomes. Each section has a reference to the Reflect Respect Relate resource which provides a guide for educators to critically reflect on pedagogy and relationships and the connection with children’s wellbeing and involvement in learning.
Think about—explanatory information about the section
Elements of the Early Years Learning Framework
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