Aistear
The Early Childhood Curriculum Framework
Aistear is well established in Ballintotas National School. Here is some information on this exciting and innovative framework.
Play is one of the key contexts for children’s early learning and development. Through relationships in play, children develop and demonstrate improved verbal communication, high levels of social and interaction skills, creative use of play materials, imaginative thinking and problem-solving capacities.
Teachers plan for the play to enable the children’s learning using ‘Aistear’ as a curriculum framework for children from birth to 6 years in Ireland. More detailed information about ‘Aistear’ can be found on the website www.ncca.ie/aisteartoolkit showing how important play is for children’s learning and development.
During ‘Aistear’ the teacher provides rich environments where the children are able to explore, touch, manipulate and experiment with a variety of real life and diverse materials. Children ask questions, make predictions and develop their thinking. They learn together with others. The environment offers opportunities to actively explore, to work independently and with others, to make decisions and follow through on their ideas, to solve problems, to engage in real life activities and to experience co-operative, symbolic, dramatic or pretend play.
We explore various themes through a variety of stations- Socio- Dramatic/Role Play Corner, Small World, Games, Writing/Fine Motor and Art and Craft.
Have a look at what we have been up to over the last term exploring the themes: Weather, The Arctic, The Doctors, The Farm and The Airport.