What is EYLF?
EYLF is our important professional document, guiding our practice and curriculum in early chidlhood education and care. It has been recently updated (2022) and educators are still trying to make sense of it. In order to help you, I created a few resources to supplement this post https://payhip.com/Storykate/collection/early-years-learning-framework-explained-simply.
https://youtu.be/6RpK-WGjbXE?si=8pXG5erfnUTmGynC
What is EYLF v.2.0?
Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) 2.0, Australia’s national curriculum framework designed to enrich children’s learning from birth to five years and through their transition to school. Titled “Belonging, Being and Becoming,” this framework recognizes early childhood as a pivotal period for continuous learning, development, and wellbeing.
Developed with input from various stakeholders, including families, educators, and government bodies, EYLF 2.0 supports early childhood professionals in their roles, emphasizing the importance of children’s learning at its core. The framework is built on four interdependent elements: Vision, Principles, Practices, and Learning Outcomes. These elements are essential for effective early childhood pedagogy and curriculum decision-making.
The Big Ideas of EYLF
Belonging
Experiencing belonging is integral to human existence. Children belong to diverse families, neighborhoods, and communities. Belonging acknowledges children’s interdependence with others and the importance of relationships in defining their identities. Trusting relationships and affirming experiences are crucial to a sense of belonging, shaping who children are and who they can become.
Being
Childhood is a time to be, to seek and make meaning of the world. Being recognizes the significance of the present, as well as the past in children’s lives. It’s about children knowing themselves, developing their identity, building relationships, engaging with life’s joys and complexities, and meeting everyday challenges.
Becoming
Children’s identities, knowledge, understandings, and relationships evolve during childhood. Becoming reflects the rapid and significant changes occurring in the early years. It emphasizes collaboration among educators, families, and children to support and enhance connections and capabilities, helping children to actively participate as citizens.
The Principles of EYLF
The EYLF is grounded in eight principles reflecting contemporary theories and research on children’s learning and early childhood pedagogy:
- 1. Secure, Respectful, and Reciprocal Relationships
- 2. Partnerships
- 3. Respect for Diversity
- 4. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
- 5. Equity, Inclusion, and High Expectations
- 6. Sustainability
- 7. Critical Reflection and Ongoing Professional Learning
- 8. Collaborative Leadership and Teamwork
These principles foster ethical, socially just, and inclusive practices, enhancing all children’s learning outcomes.
Secure, Respectful, and Reciprocal Relationships
Such relationships form the foundation for children’s wellbeing and learning. Positive, caring interactions and consistent emotional support are crucial for healthy brain development, helping children feel safe, respected, and valued.
Partnerships
Partnerships with families and communities are essential for effective early childhood education. These relationships are built on respect for each other’s perspectives, expectations, and values, enhancing children’s learning and wellbeing through shared decision-making and mutual respect.
Respect for Diversity
Valuing diverse backgrounds of children and their families enriches the learning environment, ensuring all children feel valued and respected. This principle involves recognizing and integrating cultural, linguistic, and individual diversity.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives
Incorporating these perspectives is crucial for promoting cultural awareness and respect. Educators integrate these unique cultural insights into their teaching, emphasizing the value of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander contributions to society.
Equity, Inclusion, and High Expectations
Educators hold high expectations for all children, ensuring they experience success in their learning and development. This principle emphasizes inclusive practices and addressing barriers to participation in learning opportunities.
Sustainability
Sustainable practices foster children’s understanding and respect for the environment, integrating environmental education into the curriculum and promoting sustainable living.
Critical Reflection and Ongoing Professional Learning
Continuous professional development and reflective practice are integral to high-quality early childhood education. Educators engage in ongoing learning and critically reflect on their practices to improve teaching and support children’s learning and development.
Collaborative Leadership and Teamwork
Collaborative leadership and teamwork, built on shared responsibility and professional accountability, enhance educational practices, fostering a positive work culture and peer mentoring.
The Practices of EYLF
The principles of the EYLF come to life through pedagogical practices aimed at promoting children’s learning, including:
- Holistic, integrated, and interconnected approaches
- Responsiveness to children
- Play-based learning and intentionality
- Learning environments
- Cultural responsiveness
- Continuity of learning and transitions
- Assessment and evaluation for learning, development, and wellbeing
Holistic, Integrated, and Interconnected Approaches
These approaches consider all facets of children’s learning, development, and wellbeing, viewing learning as a communal effort involving collaboration among children, families, and communities.
Responsiveness to Children
Educators cater to each child’s unique strengths, abilities, and curiosity, recognizing their cultural heritage and diverse ways of learning. They engage children in meaningful interactions, fostering relationships and enhancing learning.
Play-based Learning and Intentionality
Play-based learning acknowledges the deliberate roles children and educators play in education. Through play, children form relationships, experiment with concepts, and develop new insights, fostering a positive attitude towards learning.
Learning Environments
Inclusive learning environments, both indoor and outdoor, reflect and honor the identities of children and families. These environments are adaptable, vibrant spaces that consider each child’s strengths, cultural background, and interests.
Cultural Responsiveness
Culturally responsive educators respect diverse cultural ways of knowing and take action against unfairness or discrimination. This includes embedding Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives and respecting culturally diverse families.
Continuity of Learning and Transitions
Recognizing children’s unique backgrounds, educators help them feel secure and connected, supporting successful transitions between settings through collaboration with families and other educators.
Assessment and Evaluation for Learning, Development, and Wellbeing
Assessment and evaluation involve observing, documenting, analyzing, and reflecting on children’s learning. Educators use this information to plan and implement curriculum, setting learning objectives in collaboration with children, families, and professionals.
The Learning Outcomes of EYLF
The EYLF outlines five broad learning outcomes for children:
- Children have a strong sense of identity
- Children are connected with and contribute to their world
- Children have a strong sense of wellbeing
- Children are confident and involved learners
- Children are effective communicators
Each outcome encompasses various aspects of children’s development, ensuring a holistic approach to early childhood education. Here is my video on how to use the OUTCOMES for planning and observations https://youtu.be/xCYAA6GXj24?si=W3EeyWiyQeQ4qdaG
Test Your Knowledge: EYLF Quiz
- What are the three overarching ideas of the EYLF 2.0?
- a) Belonging, Caring, Sharing
- b) Belonging, Being, Becoming
- c) Learning, Playing, Growing
- d) Trusting, Growing, Sharing
- What is the importance of secure, respectful, and reciprocal relationships in early childhood education according to the EYLF 2.0?
- a) They help children learn to read
- b) They form the foundation for children’s wellbeing and learning
- c) They ensure children complete their homework
- d) They help children become independent quickly
- Why are partnerships with families and communities essential in the EYLF 2.0?
- a) They provide financial support to early childhood settings
- b) They enhance children’s learning and wellbeing through shared decision-making and mutual respect
- c) They offer extra-curricular activities for children
- d) They ensure that children have fun
- How does the EYLF 2.0 define ‘being’?
- a) A time to plan for the future
- b) A time to seek and make meaning of the world
- c) A period to focus on academic skills
- d) A phase to develop independence
- What is the role of ‘becoming’ in the EYLF 2.0?
- a) To prepare children for university
- b) To reflect the rapid and significant changes in children as they learn and grow
- c) To ensure children learn to read and write
- d) To focus on physical development only
- Why is respect for diversity crucial in early childhood settings according to the EYLF 2.0?
- a) It helps to create a uniform learning environment
- b) It enriches the learning environment and ensures all children feel valued and respected
- c) It simplifies teaching methods
- d) It focuses solely on language development
- What does the principle of sustainability entail in the EYLF 2.0?
- a) Encouraging children to focus on academic achievements
- b) Promoting sustainable practices and fostering respect for the environment
- c) Ensuring children follow a strict routine
- d) Providing financial sustainability for early childhood settings
- What is the significance of critical reflection and ongoing professional learning for educators in the EYLF 2.0?
- a) It helps educators to develop financial plans for their settings
- b) It allows educators to critically reflect on and improve their practices
- c) It focuses on maintaining discipline in the classroom
- d) It ensures that children achieve high grades
- How does the EYLF 2.0 view children’s learning?
- a) As a static process that doesn’t change over time
- b) As a dynamic, complex, and holistic process
- c) As a simple process focusing on academic skills
- d) As a process that only involves physical activities
- What role do Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander perspectives play in the EYLF 2.0?
- a) They are included only if Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander children are present
- b) They promote cultural awareness and respect for these unique cultures
- c) They are optional additions to the curriculum
- d) They focus primarily on language acquisition
Answers:
- b) Belonging, Being, Becoming
- b) They form the foundation for children’s wellbeing and learning
- b) They enhance children’s learning and wellbeing through shared decision-making and mutual respect
- b) A time to seek and make meaning of the world
- b) To reflect the rapid and significant changes in children as they learn and grow
- b) It enriches the learning environment and ensures all children feel valued and respected
- b) Promoting sustainable practices and fostering respect for the environment
- b) It allows educators to critically reflect on and improve their practices
- b) As a dynamic, complex, and holistic process
- b) They promote cultural awareness and respect for these unique cultures
The EYLF 2.0 is a comprehensive and dynamic framework that not only supports children’s learning and development but also fosters a collaborative and inclusive approach to early childhood education. Whether you are an educator, a student, an early childhood leader or simply interested in early childhood development, understanding and embracing the EYLF can make a significant difference in the lives of young children. Happy learning!
