Analysis: The Early Years Learning Framework

As adults we use shapes every day, although we may not realise it. Think about when we are arranging furniture, cleaning out the cupboard or fridge, this is all done by arranging according to the shapes that are in them; road signs and markings make extensive use of different shapes, helping us to identify them before we can actually read them. When a child explores different shapes, they are using basic educational development; the observation of same and different. This concept provides them with a basic process that they will be able to use in observing, comparing and discussing all that is seen and encountered. This resource will aid students in year one develop the skills to differentiate various shapes by recognizing their key features.

This resource directly combines the development of a year one student with the structure of the Australian Curriculum while taking into consideration the EYLF framework development foundations. Year 1 content regarding shape development from the Australian Curriculum states that a child will start to recognize and classify familiar two-dimensional shapes and three-dimensional objects using obvious features (Australian Curriculum, Assessment and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2015). This resource will enable students to develop their knowledge of shapes by pointing out their significant features allowing the student to work out which shape is most suited to the description, although each student will have their own cards to match, they will be able to work together to help each other successfully connect each shape to their

Research into how children think and learn has suggested that children absorb the most information while they are participating in activities which are intentional teaching methods. Taking into consideration previous knowledge of the children’s cognitive development milestones and what strategies work best for teaching at certain ages or year levels has helped this resource to be accurate and well suited to year one students and is also useful for teachers to utilize in a classroom setting.

This resource was created based on the current Australian Curriculum, The Early Years Learning Framework (EYLF) and cognitive developmental milestones. Children using this resource will improve knowledge on shapes and learn how to explain the differences of various shapes; children may also find that this resource may improve development for counting and reading as they are also main components. Supporting the progress of learning shapes is vital for children as this is a skill they will use as children all the way through to