What do the four foundations mean? How could we see them implement in an early learning environment?

The four foundation for early learning are belonging, well-being, engagement and expression. These are very important for a healthy development of a child. Every child is important. These four foundation means that these should be applied to all children because they are all important regardless of their culture, background, age, ability, settings and language.

We could see that it is properly implemented in early learning environment when they are organized, and aims for the holistic developemt of a  child. 

These four foundation belonging, well being, engagement and expression are set to understand the development of the children and discusses how teachers and educators should work with families and children as co-learners, learning with, about, and from them.

This is in contrast to traditional teaching approaches, which are sometimes too focused on one-way communication.

Making a sense of belonging, well being engagement and expression can be seen on how the teachers and mentors implement these in early learning program in school or in learning centers.

1. Belonging- means that the children are interdependent with others.  It gives them security, they feel safe, which will have great impact in their academic, social and physiological development. We will see that belonging is well implemented in school when children are motivated, they have positive attitude towards learning and they have confidence. Teachers can create a safe and exciting place in the classroom, make a welcome corner every morning when children come to school, 

 

2. Well- being means the overall physical and mental development of a child. It is very important in the early years of learning because it gives them the will to overcome difficulties in later life. It gives confidence  and self esteem. It can be seen that teachers implement these when they give warm appreciation to kids, gives lots of motivation and reinforcement
 

3. Engagement means that children are fully engaged. These happens when children are able to use their capabilities,they are involved,  focused and are able to explore and use their curiousity. In the school it is implemented when they are thought through songs, rhymes, stories, hands on activities and learning through play.


4. Expression means how children express themselves, communicate with others and share their knowledge and ideas.  It is well implemented when children can express themselves and feelings in a positive way. Group discussions, drawing, painting, journaling are some of the examples that teachers use in the classroom to help.children express themselves.