Early Years

The Learner in the Early Years (3–6 years old)

Early Years: Summary

In the Early Years:

Play involves choice, promotes agency and provides opportunities to inquire into important concepts and personal interests.

The early years should include as a minimum: play, relationships, learning spaces, symbolic exploration and expression which are central to learning.

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Principles of Ideal Learning Environments


Source: ibo.org | The Compass School | Trust For Learning
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Nine Principles of Ideal Learning - Early Years 

This brief summarizes scientific research aligned with the principles of ideal learning environments. The brief is a unifying framework of nine principles underlying equitable, developmental, relational models of early childhood education, but can/should be applied to all learning environments. Rather than prescribing a uniform vision of “quality,” these nine principles allow educators to adopt a comprehensive early learning approach that serves their children and communities.

Drawing from the strength of world-renowned early childhood approaches including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Friends Center for Children, Tools of the Mind, Bank Street College of Education, and Waldorf, these nine principles outline core concepts that create ideal learning environments for young children across settings. They allow for multiple approaches, models, and traditions, and take into account the varied contexts within which early educators and care providers work. 

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Several essential beliefs weave throughout, including a commitment to play, relationship-based interactions, an ecologically-focused, child-centered perspective; equity; and a strength-based and inquiry-based approach with children, adults and families. Together, they balance principles of attachment and independence that are meaningful for young children’s development.

Children Are Born Learning, Exploring and Growing

How children develop depends on us. We know that during the first few years of life, more than 1 million neural connections are formed every second. Young children develop through rich, daily interactions with nurturing caregivers and educators, building brains and shaping physical, socioemotional and cognitive development for life. These early years represent a unique, flexible period of human development and a finite window for high-impact investment.

Early learning environments shape children’s present and future through mechanisms scientists continue to discover — from statistical learning to nervous system attunement to epigenetics. Because children are born learning, any environment can become an ideal learning environment — whether at home, in family- or center-based child care, or at school. While every child should have access to ideal learning environments from birth, far too many do not. With growing public investment, we now have the opportunity to create equitable ideal learning environments serving children, families and educators in any setting.

Additional Resources


Source: Trust For Learning and Trust For learning Resources

Early Years: Key Features


Click/Tap image to view/download poster (Direct Download)Source: Sheeza Ali Facebook

Early Years: Key Domains

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Source: Sheeza Ali Facebook

Principles of Ideal Early Learning Environments

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Source: Trust for Learning(this website has a lot of early learning documents and articles)
Drawing from the strength of world-renowned early childhood approaches including Montessori, Reggio Emilia, Friends Center for Children, Tools of the Mind, Bank Street College of Education, and Waldorf, these principles outline core concepts that create ideal learning environments for young children across settings. They allow for multiple approaches, models, and traditions, and take into account the varied contexts within which early educators and care providers work. Several essential beliefs weave throughout, including a commitment to play, relationship-based interactions, an ecologically-focused, child-centered perspective; equity; and a strength-based and inquiry-based approach with children, adults and families. Together, they balance principles of attachment and independence that are meaningful for young children’s development.

Measuring - Early Learning Environments

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Source: Trust for Learning(this website has a lot of early learning documents and articles)
Measuring the Quality of Early Learning Environments envisions a new, equity-driven approach for assessing the quality of programs and demonstrates how the Principles of Ideal Learning framework can be used to guide decision-making.

Evaluating Family Voices Workbook

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Source: Trust For Learning
The Elevating Family Voices Workbook is a resource designed to support meaningful community participation and robust family engagement in planning for ideal learning environments for young children. 

UN Rights of the Child: Simplified

Role of the Teacher in Early Years

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Source: Sheeza Ali Facebook

Podcast: Play, Assessment and Accountability in the Early Years

Anne_van_Dam_Pt_1-Early_Years_Education.m4a
Created by RACHEL FRENCH FRENCHSource: Professional Learning International - 36.20- Aug 7, 2018
A Podcast by Anne van Dam who is an international educator who has worked in schools in the Netherlands, China, Singapore and Switzerland in a variety of roles; as a teacher, PYP coordinator, assistant principal and school Director. In the first part of her episode with Angeline Aow, they discuss Early Years education, including the role of play, documentation, assessment and the rise of accountability around the world.Anne is experienced with the International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme (IB PYP), is a workshop leader and developer.

** Follow Anne and Angeline are on Twitter

Engaging Learners By Following Their Interests

Runtime: 4:09 - April 7, 2022 - Source: Edutopia
When students show genuine curiosity about a topic, the emergent curriculum approach lets teachers build upon that excitement to reach learning objectives.

PYP Learner Profile Booklist - Early Years

Click/Tap Image to view website** Scroll to bottom of the website to view books**Source: Toddle

Fostering a Feeling of Security for Younge Students

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Simple classroom tips for helping preschool and elementary students feel at ease and open to learning.

Create a Calm Preschool Learning Environment

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Simple elements like lighting, tone of voice, and routines can help young children feel calm and ready to learn.

Outdoor Adventures in the Early Years

Runtime: 49.25 - May, 2023 - Source: Toddle
In this webinar with outdoor play specialist Christina Pickles, gain insights to transform outdoor play for young children! Listen in as she inspires you to get your little explorers to discover the wonderland of plants, animals, water, rocks, sand, mud, and more!
Also see this free editable risk assessment form for outdoor play to ensure your little ones are always safe on their outdoor adventures. (Direct Download)

Outdoor Adventures: Risk Analysis

Click/Tap Image to view document (Direct Download) Source: Toddle
By following the steps in this pamphlet, you can ensure that outdoor play activities are safe, developmentally appropriate, and empowering for children. Remember, outdoor play is essential for children's physical, social, and emotional well-being, and a well-planned and risk-managed approach can provide children with opportunities for growth and exploration.

A Pedagogy of Listening in the Early Years

Runtime: 57:45 - Dec, 2022 - Source: Toddle
As teachers, how might we invite students to lead the conversation around learning? Join early years expert Angela MeeLee as she explores inquiry as a pedagogy of listening. She will discuss some of the foundations of Reggio Emilia schools and share strategies for planning and responding to provocations.

Ten Picture Books for Outdoor Learning

Click/Tap Image to view document (Direct Download) Source: Toddle
Ten inspiring children's stories that can serve as a catalyst for immersive outdoor exploration, play, and learning. Each page of the resource comes alive, inviting children to engage in activities that stimulate their development in numerous ways. From climbing and counting to creating and collaborating, children will embark on a journey that connects them to nature while fostering holistic growth.

Fine Motor Skills Checklists

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These fine motor skills checklists (Ages 0-6) created by Toddle come in two styles - Milestones and My Self Evaluation
Also view: Build Your Fine Motor Skills Toolkit - a video by Stacey Band. 
  • Explore hands-on ideas to establish concentration, coordination, and independence 
  • Learn how to observe children and document next steps
  • Monitor the seven areas of concern and how to document them

Fine Motor Skills Activities

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These fine motor activities (Ages 1-6) are created by Toddle 
Also explore videos about woodwork, sound art provocations, treasure baskets, playful math ideas, loose parts play, and outdoor learning through these guided experiences led by experts.

PBL in the Early Elementary Grades

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Setting up project-based learning with young students can be a challenge, but it’s worth the work, according to first-grade teachers from across the U.S.
For more information about Project-Based Learning (PBL) go HERE

Sparking Critical Thinking Skills in K-2

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As early elementary teachers know, young learners are able to engage in critical thinking and participate in nuanced conversations, with appropriate supports. What can teachers do to foster these discussions? Find out by reading the article from Edutopia.

Developing a Loving Pedagogy in the Early Years

Click/Tap Image to view/download document (Direct Download)  Source: Toddle
It is what we do in our settings and schools on a daily basis to help children feel loved, to feel a sense of belonging, and to put things like attachment theory into practice. A loving pedagogy is evident when we place children and their needs at the centre of our provision.
View/listen to the Podcast: Developing a loving pedagogy in the Early Years

PYP Early Years ATL Learning Card Example

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Created by Sonya Terborg - View her blog post

Early Years Articles

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