Areas of Learning
Prime Areas
Communication and Language
The development of communication and language underpins all seven areas of learning and development within the EYFS. The quality of conversation children have with adults and peers throughout the school day, in a language rich environment is crucial. Actively engaging children in stories, rhymes, poems songs and providing them with extensive opportunities to use and embed new words in a range of contexts, give children the opportunity to thrive.
At Anna Seward primary school we immerse children in awe and wonder and pride ourselves on igniting children’s confidence to share their ideas and become comfortable using a rich range of vocabulary and language.
At Anna Seward Primary School we want every child to be able to engage fully with the world around them and be active members of their environment – be this in Nursery, a year 1 class group or family. We can do this by providing the child with the ‘tools’ to be fully expressive and receptive to the communication taking place. Makaton is used to support all children to develop communication, language and literacy skills. It supports integration as children with and without language difficulties can communicate, learn and play together more easily. Through embracing a ‘communication for all’ approach we naturally encompass our value of compassion.We promote the work of Speech and Language UK and help raise awareness of the 1.9 million children who find talking or understanding words a challenge by participating in the annual ‘No Pens Day’. On this day, children are immersed in communication and language activities and the pens and pencils are locked away.
Personal, social and Emotional Development (PSED)
In Reception the PSED needs are nurtured through a thoughtful and individualised approach. At Anna Seward Primary School we promote the ‘Thrive Approach’, which focuses on the holistic development of each child, supports their emotional well-being by creating an environment that celebrates their uniqueness and creates a nurturing classroom where the children’s PSED growth is support in line with our school values.
Children are provided with opportunities to take safe risks in their learning, developing courage to help build resilience and confidence in themselves. They love to point out a teacher ‘mistake’ and work together to fix it and contributing to our safe environment. Our routines are embedded through the school and are designed to empower children to express their feelings and ask for help when needed, promoting a sense of autonomy and self-worth.
Children are encouraged to express their emotions and ideas. Through play, expressive arts and design and problem-solving activities, children are given space to explore their emotions in a creative ways, promoting emotional literacy and self-expression.
Empathy and kindness are central to our Reception classroom culture and is modelled by adults and children alike highlighting our value of compassion. Children are encouraged to understand and respect each other’s emotions and perspectives which helps create a classroom community where differences are celebrated.
To compliment our approach, we use a program called Jigsaw. In Reception we are introduced to Jigsaw Jenie who helps us work through 6 puzzle pieces to develop our PSHE inline with the Early Learning Goals (ELG’s). This is done through ‘Calm Me’ time which enables children to become more aware of their thoughts and emotions, and to develop techniques to manage stress and anxiety. It is regular practice that is used across the school, for behaviour management and wellbeing. These experiences, combined with a focus on the ‘unique child’, support PSED skills that enable the children of Reception to form positive relationships and the foundations for navigating the world with confidence.
Physical Development
Physical development is crucial for helping children build the skills for a healthy, active life. Along with PSED and Communication and Language, PD underpins and is an integral part to children’s holistic development and learning across all seven areas of the EYFS. Through our school values of courage, compassion and creativity, children are encouraged to develop both fine and gross motor skills in an environment that supports autonomy and collaboration.
Courage is nurtured by providing children with opportunities to try new physical activities, helping them overcome challenges and build confidence. By encouraging children to take risks within a safe environment, children learn to push their boundaries and develop resilience – there is no better feeling than a child bursting with pride as they exclaim ‘I did it!’
Children are encouraged to work together, supporting one another in physical tasks, whether it’s in group play or helping each other zip up coats. Our Reception classroom is bursting with compassion, empathy and cooperation, strengthening the children’s PSED.
Children are encouraged to explore movement in lots of ways. This can look like scarf dancing, making bike ramps or building with blocks. These activities stimulate creative and imaginative play whilst developing physical skills.
Specific Areas
Literacy
Every child deserves success right from the start. We know that the sooner children learn to read, the greater their success at school. This is why we put reading at the heart of what we do.
We use a synthetics phonics scheme called Read Write Inc. Phonics to teach our children to read and write.
Our dynamic phonics lessons are designed to ignite a love for reading and writing in our children. Through engaging texts and structured lessons, children build strong foundations in phonics, developing essential skills for decoding words with confidence and fluency. Our dedicated teachers provide a nurturing and supportive environment, ensuring each child progresses at their own pace. With the Read Write Inc. Phonics, we aim to turn every child into an enthusiastic and independent reader.
Mathematics
Our Math lessons introduce our children to the exciting world of numbers with the Power Maths programme. Power Maths (published by Pearson, and developed in partnership with White Rose Maths) is a world-class and unique UK curriculum recommended by the UK’s Department for Education (DfE), it has been designed to spark pupils’ excitement and curiosity about maths whilst developing their confidence.
This engaging and interactive approach helps children develop a strong foundation in mathematics through fun, hands-on activities. In our Reception class, we nurture curiosity and encourage problem-solving, enabling each child to explore mathematical concepts with confidence and joy. Guided by our passionate teachers, children learn to think critically and creatively, laying the groundwork for a lifelong love of maths.
When developing our skills of writing numbers, we use mnemonics to help us remember the correct number formation – just like we do for phonics!
These can be accessed at:
http://www.communication4all.co.uk/Numeracy/Number%20Formation%20Rhyme%20Cards.pdf
Understanding The World
In Reception, Understanding the World (UTW) focuses on helping children explore and make sense of the world around them. Within an inclusive culture, this area encourages children to observe, question, and engage with the environment, people, and technology, fostering a deep curiosity about how things work.
By embracing the values of creativity, courage, and compassion, children are encouraged to think imaginatively, take risks in their learning, and show kindness and respect to others. Creativity is nurtured through activities that allow children to explore different materials and ideas, while courage is promoted by encouraging them to ask questions, solve problems, and try new things. Compassion is instilled by teaching children to appreciate differences, care for the environment, and consider the feelings and needs of others. UTW helps children develop essential skills, knowledge, and values that empower them to confidently interact with their surroundings and others, preparing them for the broader world ahead.
In Reception we entwine awe and wonder into every day. We thrive on active learning and the children love the real-life experiences such as arriving to school for a hot chocolate around a bonfire, going in a yellow submarine, following a glittery trail to the Tooth Fairy castle or arriving to a crime scene!
Expressive Arts and Design
In the EYFS, Expressive Arts and Design (EAD) encourages children to explore their creativity through art, music, movement, and imaginative play. Our classroom focus is on providing a prepared environment that supports the child’s natural curiosity and independent exploration, where children are free to express themselves in their own unique ways. Children have the courage to take risks in their creative expression, trying new materials and techniques and develop compassion through collaborative projects and an appreciation for others’ creative contributions.
By underpinning the principle of the “unique child,” each child is encouraged to follow their own interests and ideas, allowing them to develop their creativity at their own pace. Children’s EAD experience in Reception promotes hands-on learning and self-expression, fostering a sense of independence and ownership over their artistic journey. Creativity is at the heart of all activities, with children encouraged to think imaginatively, explore new ideas, and create freely all while celebrating their individuality.
We believe that every child is an artist and provide consistent opportunities for their natural creativity to flourish. We celebrate each child’s unique self expression from putting on a show on our stage to creating self portraits.
Reception Curriculum Overview
