1. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 The Prep Year curriculum Learning oral language, mathematics, social skills and problem solving through play

2. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 The prep curriculum is based on international studies of the most effective ways of helping young children learn.

3. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 What does the research tell us about effective programs for young children?

4. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 Effective programs Use play-based and enquiry-based learning and teaching. Involve children in active, multi-sensory learning experiences. Involve children in collaborative learning. Develop self-management skills and independence. Develop early literacy and numeracy understandings. Develop childrens positive dispositions to themselves and learning. Monitor childrens learning. Provide continuity between settings.

5. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 Early years programs … should focus on children: making decisions solving problems developing thinking processes developing effective communication developing collaboration strategies developing positive dispositions towards learning developing a positive sense of self.

6. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 What are the factors associated with later success in school? social and emotional competence health and physical wellbeing language development and communication early mathematical understandings active learning processes positive disposition to learning.

7. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 Differences from preschool children at least six months older full-day, five-days-a-week program curriculum built around identified factors for success in schooling identified learning expectations that lead to the Year 1 curriculum expanded learning situations include investigations, real-life situations, play, routines and focused learning and teaching situations childrens progress monitored using an early learning record with phases of learning that lead into the syllabuses used in Years 1 and 2

8. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 What will your child learn in the Prep Year? take on responsibilities become more independent respect other people cooperate with others make sensible choices about their health and safety develop their physical skills develop their oral language … The learning experiences in the Prep Year will help your child to:

9. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 develop their early literacy understandings develop their early mathematical understandings learn how to be thinkers and problem solvers use their imagination and creativity learn about their environment. What will your child learn in the Prep Year?

10. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 What might you see your child doing in the Prep Year? Your child will participate in a range of learning situations.

11. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 Your child will learn through …

12. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 You will see your child … investigating interests making choices planning with their teacher about the things they might do, and carrying out their plans talking with teachers and other children designing and making things singing, dancing and painting listening to stories playing games indoors and outdoors climbing, balancing, jumping

13. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 planning and sharing in make-believe play using computers to draw pictures, make signs, play games and find out about the world taking part in everyday experiences like gardening, cooking and tidying up writing and copying signs during their play learning about size, shape, weight and measurement as they construct things indoors and outdoors. You will see your child …

14. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 The prep curriculum is designed to form a foundation for, and to lead into, the Year 1 curriculum. How will this help your child in Year 1?

15. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 Factors related to success in school (the early learning areas) Specific focus in the early learning areas Links to KLA syllabuses Social & personal learningSocial learning Self-identity Independence SOSE HPE Health & physical learningMaking healthy choices Gross-motor Fine-motor HPE Language learning & communication Oral language Early literacyEnglish Early mathematical understandings Early numeracyMathematics Active learning processesThinking Investigating Imagining & responding Science SOSE Technology The Arts

16. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 How will teachers monitor your childs learning? Evidence of your childs learning will be collected throughout the year and kept in an individual folio. This evidence will come from observations, talking with your child and adults, and collecting examples of the things your child does. Your childs progress in relation to the early learning areas will be recorded in your childs early learning record.

17. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 It helps teachers to plan for your childs continuing learning. It is used in conversations with your child about his or her learning. It builds an overall picture of your childs learning and development as they make the transition to Year 1. It is shared with you during the year so that you have a picture of your childs learning progress. The information from monitoring your childs learning is used in several ways

18. © The State of Queensland (Queensland Studies Authority) 2006 More information about the early years curriculum and a copy of the Early Years Curriculum Guidelines can be found at QSAs website: www.qsa.qld.edu.au