Active learning in practice: Principles and reflective questions
Progression in children’s development and learning
The early years of children’s lives are times of rapid growth and development. They need close and warm emotional support and interactions from staff and often practical help in their lives and learning.
Supporting the move to primary 1
Think about the different learning styles children experience when they make the move from pre-school to primary 1.
Progression through the curriculum
Young people should experience continuous progression in their learning from 3 to 18 within a single curriculum framework.
The role of staff in supporting learning
It is important for staff in the pre-school and primary settings to adopt a joint, collaborative approach to organising learning and to evaluation to ensure continuity and progression.
Creating an environment and use of space
The learning environment – both indoors and outdoors – needs to provide challenge and opportunity to explore exciting learning possibilities.
Active learning outdoors
The outdoor environment offers different learning opportunities and here we offer some questions to ask when taking learning outdoors.
Choosing resources
As they develop, children begin to enjoy co-operative group experiences, mixing resources from a variety of sources to satisfy their own curiosity, imagination and intentions.
Making the most of your time
For active learning, children need time to engage with ideas, resources, peers and adults. This means staff have to plan their timetables to create time slots that are uninterrupted.