Foundation Phase Essay

INTRODUCTION
The Foundation Phase was introduced by the Welsh Assembly Government in 2008 and completed roll out in 2011. The curriculum emphasizes experimental learning. Children are learning through active and play involvement, through first-hand experience in order to develop the seven areas of learning. Children will be able to learn through practical involvement and develop their language and communicational skills by being asked their opinions and being asked more open ended questions. There is an emphasis of a cross curricular approach within the Foundation Phase, which is moving away from the traditional learning through separate subjects. Teachers are meant to track children’s development through observing carefully allowing the children
It is also a key message and should be developed across the whole curriculum. This key message is crucial as it allows children to talk about themselves developing their language and communicational skills. Children gain first-hand experience about the world around them which develops the learning area of Knowledge and Understanding of the World (KUoW) Children should be given opportunities to express their opinions and beliefs and listen to others, in order to develop empathy towards other cultures and to encourage equality and disregard discrimination and stereotyping. These key messages within PS&D encourage social development, learning opportunities developed at home can be further developed by the use of the home corner, where children’s personal experiences can be observed and children can develop to engage in group activity. Through the use of the Curriculum Cymreig, children should be learning about their heritage and history which could be taught by the use of role play. “Differences should be acknowledged, discussed, respected and valued”. (PS&D