“A shared story between a child and a familiar, loved adult has a huge impact on children’s interest and motivation for reading later on,” says PACEY President, Penny Tassoni.

Literacy is being able to listen to and enjoy your favorite stories and songs. Showing an interest in print in both books and print in the environment and being able to tell a story through pictures. Beginning stages for writing starts with simple marks that have meaning to that child.

· Mark-making

· Love of reading and writing

· Movement

Physical development is an important part to a child’s development when it comes to motivation, concentration and learning. They learn to take control of their bodies by being active and staying healthy. They begin to understand the use of fine motor tools such as how to use scissors and holding a pencil correctly.

· Makes marks using gross motor movements

· Moves freely with confidence in a variety of ways

· Learning to be independent in self-care

Encouraging creativity is an important part in a child’s development as it helps expand their imagination and share an experience they have seen or done. Helping children to choose materials and resources to create their own art project or dressing up to role-play ‘I am a superhero.’

· Singing and dancing

· Being imaginative- role-playing

· Exploring with colors and textures

Understanding the world starts with kids learning about other people and the different environments around them. Using their senses to touch, feel, taste, smell, see and listen helps them to explore the world around them.

· Role-playing doctor, fire fighters etc.

· Enjoys playing with small world animals and sensory play

· Showing an interest in technology

This is the first step to a child’s success in life. The way a child makes relationships shapes how they will see the world. It is important to build awareness of one’s self and be confident in who they are. Helping the child to understand their own feelings as well as the feelings of others and how they can manage their emotions.

·    Plays alongside others and forms a friendship with another child

·    Can express their own likes and dislikes

·    Understands needs of others and can take turns and share. 

Math starts from understanding numbers, shapes, space and measure and applying this into their play. Children begin to learn how to talk about shapes by building and constructing and learning numbers through number songs and games.

· Joins in with number rhymes and games

· Playing with shapes

Learning to listen and understand is the first step to building a foundation for literacy skills such as, reading and writing. They begin communicating through play, listening to stories and showing an interest in sounds, songs and rhymes.

· Listens with interest to the sounds adults make when they read stories

· Can follow simple instructions such as, ‘line up’

· Using language as a way to share your feelings, experiences and thoughts