EYFS...What?

is a set of standards for the learning, development, and care of children from birth to five years old in England. As a parent you don't need to read it all, but your school or childminder will structure activities around this. It covers seven areas of learning and development:

• Communication and language
• Personal, social and emotional development
• Physical development - including Fine Motor Skills
• Literacy
• Mathematics
• Understanding the world  
• Expressive arts and design

The EYFS framework also includes early learning goals for each of these areas. These goals outline what children should be able to do at different stages in their development.

As a parent, you can support your child's learning and development in a number of ways. Here are a few tips:

• Provide opportunities for your child to play and explore. This will help them Learn Through Play and develop their physical, social, and emotional skills.
• Provide opportunities for your child to be creative. This will help them to develop their expressive arts and design skills. A great example is the Emotion Monster activity where they can design the pattern they want to make with the wool.
• Read to your child regularly. This will help them to develop their literacy skills. They'll learn new words and plus aren't the snuggles just the best?
• Count with your child and help them to identify shapes. Sensory trays are a great way to introduce this for children 3-5 years old. Asking your child while they play questions such as, How many pom poms are there? Or can you find me a circle shape?
• Talk to your child about the world around them. This will help them to develop their understanding of the world and our themed activity kits can help with bringing topical things to life like this year's Olympics kit.

And we'll be there to help make sense of both the EYFS framework and age-appropriate activities along the way. Give us a follow on Instagram for more activity ideas.