The IEYC Curriculum
The International Early Years Curriculum (IEYC) is a research-based curriculum recognising global best practice in early childhood education and the developmental needs of 2- to 5-year olds. It supports key areas of learning through holistic enquiry and play-based approaches that cover all curriculum areas including personal, social and emotional development.
The IEYC Learning Strands
All IEYC learning and development is underpinned by a set of four Learning Strands. Each Learning Strand provides descriptions of what children will experience and learn about through contextualised activities that are embedded into the unit of learning.
. Independence and interdependence
. Communicating
. Enquiring
. Healthy living and physical wellbeing
8 Learning Principles
There are eight Learning Principles that underpin all practice in the IEYC.
- The earliest years of life are important in their own right.
- Children should be supported to learn and develop at their own unique pace.
- Play is an essential aspect of all children’s learning and development.
- Learning happens when developmentally/appropriate, teacher-scaffolded and child-initiated experiences harness children’s natural curiosity in an enabling environment.
- Independent and interdependent learning experiences create a context for personal development and are the foundation of international mindedness.
- Knowledge and skills development lead to an increasing sense of understanding when children are provided with opportunities to explore and express their ideas in multiple ways.
- Ongoing assessment, in the form of evaluation and reflection, is effective when it involves a learning-link with the home.
- Learning should be motivating, engaging and fun, opening up a world of wonder for children where personal interests can flourish.