Page 40 - EY Teacher's Handbook 2024-2025

Characteristics of Effective Learning, and Areas of Learning Development

The Characteristics of Effective Learning and the Specific Areas of Learning and
Development are all interconnected. Different elements of learning are identified in the EYFS, to

make the complex picture of learning clearer. But children’s learning is not compartmentalised and
many or all of these elements are in action at the same time as children interact with people and
resources.
he characteristics of Effective Learning describe factors, which play a central role in a child’s
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learning and in becoming an effective learner. They are vital elements of support for the transition
process from EYFS to year 1. The characteristics of effective learning run through and underpin all
seven areas of learning and development, representing processes rather than outcomes. Information
describing the child’s characteristics of effective learning will provide year 1 teachers with vital

background and context when considering the child’s next stage of development and future learning
needs.

T h e C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f E f f e c t i v e L e a r n i n g d e s c r i b e s b e h a v i o u r s c h i l d r e n u s e i n o r d e r t o l e a r n . T o
l e a r n w e l l , c h i l d r e n j u s t a p p r o a c h o p p o r t u n i t i e s w i t h c u r i o s i t y , e n e r g y a n d e n t h u s i a s m . E f f e c t i v e l e a r n i n g
m u s t b e m e a n i n g f u l t o a c h i l d , s o t h a t t h e y a r e a b l e t o u s e w h a t t h e y h a v e l e a r n e d a n d a p p l y i t i n n e w
s i t u a t i o n s . T h e s e a b i l i t i e s a n d a t t i t u d e s o f s t r o n g l e a r n e r s w i l l s u p p o r t t h e m t o l e a r n w e l l a n d m a k e g o o d
p r o g r e s s i n a l l t h e A r e a s o f L e a r n i n g a n d D e v e l o p m e n t .