Foundation Phase
The Foundation Phase is a curriculum for all children from ages three to seven in Wales. It was introduced to nursery and reception classes in September 2008. This curriculum encourages learning through play, which makes learning more enjoyable for the children. The Foundation Phase gives the children opportunities to explore the world through hands on activities, which are relevant to their stage of development.
Personal and Social Development, Wellbeing and Cultural Diversity
-This is the area of learning which is at the centre of the foundation and should be developed across the whole curriculum.- Positive attitudes should be developed in order for the children to become increasingly aware of the multiple cultures within Wales, and should appreciate the value of the languages.
- Children are encouraged in becoming confident and independent thinkers and learners in order to express their feelings and emotions.
- This area of learning will also build the child's confidence by becoming confident explorers in their outdoor and indoor environment, which will lead to taking risks.
-Activities for this area should include child initiated play, indoor and outdoor learning, as well as activities which allow children to be independent learners, for example-the role play area.
Language, Literacy and Communication
- Children can develop these skills through interacting.- In this area of learning, the children are encouraged to communicate their needs, as well as encouraged to listen and respond to others.
- The children should be aware of Wales being a bilingual country and should develop positive attitudes to speakers of other languages.
- Activities for this area should enable the children to progress in making themselves understood, as well as being able to listen to the teachers and other students in order to carry on instructions.
Mathematical Development
- In this area, children should develop their Mathematical skills through oral, practical and play activities.- In the Foundation Phase, the child learns the basics of Numeracy through hands on activities in order to create a little understanding of Mathematics. After this basic foundation of understanding has been learnt, the teachers will then move on to more written and formal Numerical work.
Welsh Language Development
- The Welsh language should be developed throughout the Foundation Phase in both Welsh Medium and bilingual schools in order to teach the next generation the language.- The children should use the Welsh language to communicate as well as they are able to in the Foundation Phase.
- Children should be given the opportunity to develop their Welsh through written activities as well as orally and through play activities.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
- The children should be given the opportunity to explore and experience the world around them and investigate both indoor and outdoor environment safely.-They should be given experiences and activities to increase their curiosity and to keep them engaged with the subject.
- By using all five of their senses in the activities, it should encourage the children to enjoy learning and exploration therefore increasing their curiosity to learn more.
- This area of learning should encourage the children to think of questions and then listen to the answers that they are given as well as what would happen in different scenarios.
Physical Development
- The children should develop their gross motor and fine motor skills throughout the 7 areas of learning whilst being indoors and outdoors.- Children should be encouraged to enjoy outdoor activity.
- In this learning area, the children should be introduced to physical activity, hygiene as well as a
healthy diet and the importance of sleep.
Creative Development
- The children should be given the opportunity across the curriculum to continually develop their creativity.- In this area the children should be able to develop their ability to express their creative ideas and also have the opportunity to reflect their own work.
In the seven stages of development that have been listed above, I must emphasise the importance that the pupils can choose between different activities and are aloud to have a say in how/what they learn. I believe that this is a big factor to the success of the Foundation Phase. I think that through including the pupils in the choice of what they study, you increase their motivation, as it was their decision to learn that particular subject.
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