The Statutory Framework for the Early Years Foundation Stage 2012 is published today. It follows Dame Claire Tickell’s review of the current framework . It’s available on the DFE site.
Reforms are generally seen in a positive light with concerns about the two-year-old progress checks and their possible consequences coming to the fore. Voice the union for education professionals comments here.
Children and Young People Now expresses similar views. But earlier in the year a significant group of people made their concerns plain through an open letter in the Daily Telegraph and through a new group Early Childhood Action
Nursery World has a quick practical guide to the learning and developments requirements. The Foundation Years have links to all support documents.
I’ve pulled out the statements that overtly mentioned technology
“Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment. P 5
Understanding the world
Technology: children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools. They select and use technology for particular purposes. P9
Expressive arts and design involves enabling children to explore and play with a wide range of media and materials, as well as providing opportunities and encouragement for sharing their thoughts, ideas and feelings through a variety of activities in art, music, movement, dance, role- play, and design and technology. P5
Expressive arts and design
Being imaginative: children use what they have learnt about media and materials in original ways, thinking about uses and purposes. They represent their own ideas, thoughts and feelings through design and technology, art, music, dance, role-play and stories. P9
At first glance these requirements may look like limiting, but pause for thought and see great opportunities for the creative practitioners to make a balanced use of technology.
It is perhaps disappointing that there is no overt mention of digital technologies in Communication and Language and other areas. However the expectations here shouldn’t be a barrier to using technology.
So in terms of technology there is little pessimism. My concerns lie elsewhere in the Framework and it’s implementation.
