Nursery World - Learning to do it yourself!

How can practitioners help children become independent thinkers? Elizabeth Powell early years leader at Horsforth Newlaithes Primary School, shares her experience

Children need to lead their own learning and derive satisfaction from success.

Whether it is data for a management team who don't understand about early years, an ever-increasing obsession with phonics or preparation for an Ofsted, developing children as independent, active learners has been lost as a primary focus in many settings.

The Tickell review (2011) stated that agency is crucial for learners and supports all seven areas of learning. It also states how motivation to learn and the cognitive skills required to be an effective learner are ‘determinants of academic success’. In short, developing the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) and self-regulation skills are a priority, not an option. After all, isn't our business supporting the children to be lifelong learners with the best chance of adult life satisfaction?

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