The EYLF otherwise known as the Early Years Learning Framework is part of the Council of Australian Government’s reform agenda for Early childhood education. In large part it is built on the recognition that children start learning from birth and even pre-birth and that providing children with the right environment, tools, guidance and methods of learning can actually help to increase their ability to learn through out their lives.
The EYLF‘s aim is laying a firm foundation for future learning through learning and development that is planned around each individual child’s specific needs and interests. The framework is designed to accomplish this goal while at the same time providing a universal set of standards to help improve the quality and consistency in the early years sector.
This is not a program to be followed rigorously but, rather a set of principles that are used to help ensure and stimulate every child’s ability to learn.
The EYLF is Based on the Concept of Being, Belonging and Becoming:
Being – simply means letting each child be who they are and letting children be children giving them the sense that they are free to explore the world around them.
Belonging – Children learn best when they feel as though they belong to their families, to their communities and to the world at large. By helping a child increase his sense of belonging you can help provide a safe and comfortable environment in which a child can learn.
Becoming – Simply means that a child continues to grow by experiencing new things. It is simply the acceptance that as a child learns and grows he is constantly changing.
The Top 5 Principles Of The EYLF Program
- Secure, respectful and reciprocal relations. This principle speaks to having positive interactions with children by understanding their thoughts and feelings and supporting and encouraging each child’s sense of well being.
- Partnerships This is a key element in the success of early childhood learning. It is accepting that children can’t learn in a vacuum and speaks of the necessity of working with parents, child care providers and people within the community to help ensure that every child’s learning experience is positive. By providing a warm and welcoming environment for children and their families and working together cooperatively a child’s ability to learn can be enhanced.
- High Expectations and Equity. Believing that all children have the ability to learn and grow whatever their cultural diversities or abilities and providing varied opportunities for all children to learn. Setting the bar high for every child’s learning achievements and giving them the support and encouragement needed to achieve those goals.
- Respect For Diversity. Showing a respect and reflecting the values of family and cultural beliefs. Showing on an ongoing basis that every lifestyle and culture is important as are their languages, histories and traditions. Focus on promoting a greater understanding of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders.
- Ongoing Learning. Continuing to increase professional knowledge and learning practices, Value the knowledge of local families and communities and gather information that supports childrens developmental learning.
In short the Early Years Learning framework is designed to include everyone in each child’s community to join in providing every child with the type of environment that gives them the security to feel free to explore, try new things and learn how to become a well adjusted productive member of society.
