Ready 4 Learning in a Play-based Context Hamilton

Most schools have started to introduce learning through play because they realise many of their learners are not developmentally ready or equipped for our very structured New Zealand Curriculum and early years school system.

The Ready for Learning framework supports and underpins the “foundation skills” needed for a learner to be curriculum ready. Higher level cognitive tasks such as reading and writing are dependent upon the successful execution of fundamental skills and related tasks. If these skills are not automatic, the brain will concentrate on those rather than on the higher level thinking tasks. In most cases, a child has to learn these foundational skills in order to be able to successfully access the NZC.

Elements in the Ready for Learning framework consist of speaking, concepts of print, hearing, seeing and moving (fine/gross motor skills). In the Ready for Learning framework we gain an insight into what skills the child needs to have in order for them to gain automaticity in their ability to read/write and carry out abstract thinking needed for maths. Underpinning the framework are our all-important Key Competencies in child speak which can be tracked alongside their ready for learning skills.

This workshop introduces the Ready for Learning framework and the assessment and tracking that enables teachers to have a clear understanding of their learners and how to meet their needs in a learning through play environment.