All Modules B6-Development Matters in the early years | Page 5

The Characteristics of Effective Learning and the prime and specific Areas of Learning and Development are all interconnected. • The ways in which the child engages with other people and their environment – playing and exploring, active learning, and creating and thinking critically – underpin learning and development across all areas and support the child to remain an effective and motivated learner. • The prime areas begin to develop quickly in response to relationships and experiences, and run through and support learning in all other areas. The prime areas continue to be fundamental throughout the EYFS. • The specific areas include essential skills and knowledge. They grow out of the prime areas, and provide important contexts for learning. Prime areas are fundamental, work together, and move through to support development in all other areas. The Unique Child reaches out to relate to people and things through the Characteristics of Effective Learning, which move through all areas of learning. • playing and exploring • Personal, Social and Emotional Development • active learning • Communication and Language • creating and thinking critically • Physical Development Unique Child Children develop in the context of relationships and the environment around them. This is unique to each family, and reflects individual communities and cultures. Specific areas include essential skills and knowledge for children to participate successfully in society. • Literacy • Mathematics • Understanding the World • Expressive Arts and Design 4