Becoming a Learner for Life

The Characteristics of Effective Learning

Nancy Stewart (2011 p.8) described the importance of the Characteristics of Effective Learning as follows ‘As adults we are responsible for ensuring that a child’s early experiences are an action call for robust development as a learner. It is important for early years educators to have a clear understanding of what children need to learn-the curricular areas that are needed for success in their society such as language, literacy, ICT, Mathematics and so on. But it is not enough for a child to have a particular skill or know some facts. These are of very little value in the end without the desire, confidence, motivation and control to use them, and the mental abilities to look at something in a new way, link ideas together and plan and mange the ways forward. It is fundamentally crucial for adult who care and work with children to understand how children learn, and the role which they play in `[‘;/#fostering children’s lasting ability to be effective learners and doers across all areas’.

‘The characteristics of effective learning should underpin everything we do in our EYFS environments. They are rooted in the science of how children learn, and therefore should guide and support the ways in which we create learning spaces and how we teach’ Alistair Bryce-Clegg (2015)

The guidance below, written by Nancy Stewart (2011): How children learn, The characteristics of effective learning demonstrates how the learning environment and adults within it can support and develop the three key strands.

Three Key Strands of the Characteristics of Effective Teaching and Learning (CoEL)

• Playing and Exploring – children investigate and experience things, and ‘have a go’
• Active Learning – children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements
• Creating and Thinking Critically – children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, and develop strategies for doing things