Foundation phase - Framework for Children’s learning for 3 to 7-year-olds in Wales

The foundation phase plays a very important role in the early years of a child from age 3-7. It enables children to learn through play rather than just sitting at a desk. Being able to learn through play allows children to use their imagination and allows them to take part in play with others through interaction. Having the resources available to do this are important.

“Children learn through first-hand experiential activities with the serious business of ‘play’ providing the vehicle.” (Framework for Children’s Learning for 3 to 7-year-olds in Wales 2008)

The foundation phase links in with the national curriculum at key stage 2. Having the focus on the development of skills, knowledge and understanding, the children will be able to be successful both through key stage 2 and in their further education as these skills are essential.

In the foundation phase, there are seven areas of learning:
•       Personal and Social Development, Well-Being and Cultural Diversity;
•       Language, Literacy and Communication Skills;
•       Mathematical Development;
•       Knowledge and Understanding of the World;
•       Physical Development ;
•       Creative Development;
•       Welsh Language Development

 All these areas of learning come together to form the foundation phase. But the way in which they work is by getting the children to ‘learn by doing’ rather than trying to teach them sitting at desks. Getting them more actively involved means they’ll pay more attention and grasp things with a lot more understanding.

Encouraging children to use their imagination allows them to learn in a way that they find easiest. Having personal and social development as the main focus allows children to interact and learn with other people.

Although it’s aim to enhance the child’s standards of achievement, The Foundation Phase needs to allow them to have a lot more opportunities to learn in a way that provides challenge and motivation as this can enhance their thinking skills, which of course can be applied to other subjects throughout their education.

“For children with disabilities in particular, they should:

•  improve access to the curriculum

• make physical improvements to increase participation in education

•Provide information in appropriate formats.” (Framework for Children’s Learning for 3 to 7-year-olds in Wales 2008)

You can see that children with disabilities can be included a lot more and get actively involved with everyone else. From this they can gain more confidence in themselves and not feel ‘different’ because they are being included. It can improve and emphasises their personal and social development and it can, for them, make education and the learning environment a fun place to be.

The Foundation Phase, still recently new is lays the ‘foundations’ to a fun and exciting. Role Play being a key factor makes learning for children different, in a fun way, and allowing them to explore the outer world and to understand the rules of social behaviour that are needed. It also allows them to enhance and extend their development.