Approaches to learning in the early years shared by Queensland Department

The Queensland Department of Education has shared advice about various teaching strategies and approaches that may be useful for early childhood education and care (ECEC) professionals. 

 

“The teacher’s role in enacting a range and balance of age-appropriate pedagogies involves deliberate, purposeful and thoughtful decision making and actions to promote children’s innate drive for independent learning,” the Department said.

 

When selecting an approach, educators and teachers need to consider:

 

• children’s interests and capabilities
• their own interests, skills, capabilities and philosophies
• the curriculum
• evidence of children’s learning 
• school and community contexts. 

 

Inquiry learning

 

It involves children in planning and carrying out investigations, proposing explanations and solutions, and communicating their understanding of concepts in a variety of ways.

 

Event-based approach

 

Children plan and enact events in real-life contexts drawing on their experiences and knowledge. An event-based approach may include investigations, problem-solving and play.

 

Project approach

 

A project approach is an in-depth exploration of a topic that may be child or teacher-initiated and involve an individual, a group of children, or the whole class.

 

Explicit instruction

 

A structured and systematic approach to teaching academic skills. There is an emphasis on checking for understanding, and achieving active and successful participation by all children.

 

Play-based learning

 

Provides opportunities for children to actively and imaginatively engage with people, objects and the environment. As children re-create experiences and enact new play possibilities narrative and oral language skills are developed.

 

Direct teaching/instruction

 

Direct teaching/instruction is a step-by-step, lesson-by-lesson approach to teaching which is scripted and follows a predetermined skill acquisition sequence.

 

Blended approach

 

Elements from more than one approach are combined in response to the teaching and learning intent within and across learning contexts.

 

To read this information in its original form, please see here.