AERO guide supports educators to use early childhood learning trajectories

New guidance from the Australian Education Research Organisation outlines how learning trajectories can support observation, planning and intentional teaching, while reinforcing the importance of professional judgement.

The Australian Education Research Organisation (AERO) has published a concise guide to help early childhood educators and educational leaders understand and use learning trajectories in their everyday practice.

The two-page At a glance: Early childhood learning trajectories resource brings together key information from AERO's existing learning trajectory materials, first published in 2023.

The guide explains how educators can use the trajectories to recognise children's current learning, consider possible next steps and make informed decisions about teaching and learning experiences.

Understanding the five learning domains

AERO's learning trajectories cover five interconnected areas of children's learning and development: executive functions, social and emotional learning, mathematical thinking, language and communication, and physical development.

Each domain includes subdomains, strands and indicators that describe how children's knowledge, skills and understanding may develop over time.

Rather than prescribing what children should achieve at particular ages, the trajectories provide educators with a way to recognise learning as it unfolds and identify opportunities to extend it.

AERO emphasises that children's learning is influenced by their relationships, culture, strengths and experiences, and that development does not follow a single pathway.

Supporting professional judgement

The guide makes clear that learning trajectories are not assessment tools or developmental checklists.

They are intended to complement educators' professional knowledge and existing curriculum frameworks, rather than replace them.

AERO encourages educators to use the trajectories alongside observation, critical reflection, professional reading and collaboration with colleagues.

The resource also explains how the trajectories align with the Early Years Learning Framework V2.0 and the National Quality Standard (NQS), supporting educators to connect evidence-informed approaches with their existing responsibilities.

Connecting learning trajectories with everyday practice

The guide includes practical examples of how learning trajectories can inform observation, documentation, planning and intentional teaching.

In one example, an educational leader supports an educator to use trajectory language when documenting children's learning. Another demonstrates how observations can inform an intentional teaching goal focused on social interaction.

These approaches connect with Quality Area 1 of the NQS, which focuses on educational programs and practice.

Quality Area 1 recognises the importance of an ongoing assessment and planning cycle, including observation, analysis, documentation, planning, implementation and reflection.

It also emphasises educators being deliberate, purposeful and thoughtful in their decisions and actions.

AERO's learning trajectories are designed to support this process by providing additional information educators can draw on when considering children's learning and development.

The trajectories are informed by AERO's evidence base, which includes research analysis, expert review, field trials and consultation with educators, teachers, leaders and policymakers.

Educators seeking further guidance can access AERO's more detailed Early childhood learning trajectories user guide.