Foundation Phase

“Tell me and I forget. Teach me and

I’ll remember. Involve me

and I learn.”

(Benjamin Franklin)

    The Foundation Phase is “the statutory curriculum for all 3 to 7 year olds in Wales,” (Welsh Government) and is based on the principle that early years needs to have a foundation for children’s future learning through the curriculum.

    The Foundation Phase is based on the holistic development of children (which are taught as a whole) and was introduced to give children more opportunities to explore and understand the world that they live in and how things work. All children are seen as individual and resourceful human beings with a desire to interact with their peers. The Foundation Phase places “great emphasis on children learning by taking part in activities.”(Lewis, C)

    Teachers in the Foundation Phase act as “documents” (Welsh Government) for children, meaning they provide the information and evidence needed for the children to understand what is being taught and learn. Teachers are there to observe, to stimulate the children and to encourage their thinking with open-ended questions. The classrooms in the Foundation Phase are lively, eye-catching and large enough to allow children to explore. They act as the ‘third teacher’ with photos of the children participating in activities and children’s work being displayed on them in order for them to revisit and express their new reconstructed feelings. Also, in the classrooms spaces big enough for group work and class discussions, for children to share their ideas and feeling, should be available

    The Foundation Phase framework has four important principles; seeing all children as ‘unique’, encouraging positive relationships, having a supporting and enabling environment and ensuring children learn and develop. There are seven areas of learning and developing which the framework concentrates on, these are:

1.      Personal and social development, well-being and cultural diversity.

2.      Language, literacy and communication skills.

3.      Mathematical development.

4.      Welsh language development.

5.      Knowledge and understanding of the world.

6.      Physical development.

7.      Creative development.

In the framework the guidance as to what should be taught and what should then be expected from the children are set out. Art is seen as an important aspect in aiding children’s understanding, and is commonly used as a resource.

   From my experience of working in a Foundation Phase environment, children are encouraged to develop their imagination through arts. Play and outdoor play are also seen as vital aspects in children’s learning and development. Also, the children to teacher ratio is very low, there are plenty of staff (teachers and learning support assistants) available to aid children’s learning. The way in which I see children reaching their full educational potential and capabilities is of they are given the opportunity to choose and think for themselves. If children can work with others, negotiate and preserve then I think they will benefit from their education. The Foundation Phase, from my experience and my opinion, in fact offers children opportunities to do so.

References

1.      Welsh Government (2012) Foundation Phase Available Internet: http://www.wales.gov.uk [last accessed on 14^th January 2014]

2.      Lewis, C (2013) Foundation Phase