• Communication, language and literacy;.
• Mathematical development;.
• Knowledge and understanding of the world;.
• Physical development; and.
• Creative development.
(www.parentcentre.gov.uk/publishContent.).
The goals set out what most children are expected to achieve by the end of the foundation stage. They are also there to help people who work with children in the Early Years to focus on what the children need to learn. The six area of learning shown above are the broad area of young children's learning and do not just relate to specific subjects. The areas can be seen in a lot of different subjects and in many different activities all at once in the classroom. When looking at Design and Technology in the Early Childhood education it can be difficult to see, as it is not a subject that is often specifically taught at this stage in the Education system. However D&T is used in the teaching of many subjects in the way children plan, do and review' within their learning.
As part of the national curriculum the subject design and technology is taught to children about designing and making things to use, eat and wear. Everything we use in our day-to-day lives, from forks to food and hats to houses, has been designed in some way. Finding out more about how these objects are designed and made helps children to make sense of the world around them. By designing and making their own products, children learn practical skills, like finding out how things work and making products that are useful and look good. They also learn ways of thinking and working, like coming up with ideas, solving problems and working as a team.
Children learn how to collect and use information about everyday products. They begin to explain their ideas using words and are taught how to use labels, pictures and models to do that. .
In their work they will be able to use different materials, such as food, textiles, wood, card, papier mché, and electrical and mechanical parts that they are provided with.
