Researching Effective Pedagogy in the Early Years

GlossaryAdult but child ex: (Adult initiates but child extends) is an observation category where the adult has initiated an activity but a child has extended it.Adult throughout: is an observation category where the adult has initiated an activity and led it throughout.As expected: (learning as expected) refers to a description of the target child's ability by their practitioner; i.e. the target child was deemed to be learning as expected.CC: Combined centre; where care and education are integrated with some teacher input.CGFS: Curriculum guidance for the foundation stage (QCA, 2000) for children from 3 years old to the end of reception year.Child but adult ex: (Child initiates but adult extends) is an observation category where the child has initiated an activity but an adult has extended it.Child throughout: is an observation category where the child has initiated the activity and led it throughout. Co-construction:In the traditional constructivist account of learning new understandings are considered to be founded upon the child's prior understandings.In our analysis we emphasise the importance of recognising that learning encounters involve processes of co-construction where each party engages with the understanding of the other.A necessary condition for this to occur is that both parties are involved and that the content should be instructive (See below). Conceptual knowledge:Refers to the ideas and understanding of principles and of their relationship to each other.Creative: Refers to the Creative development area of the CGFS. Critical moments:An event occurring during an observation which influenced and developed an idea or skill substantially; this may have come from a child, a practitioner, or a resource. Curriculum differentiation:The provision of differentiated curriculum experiences as a response to the identification of the specific needs of individual or small groups of children (See 'formative assessment').DC: Local Authority Day Care centre, normally with a Social Services history but most are now managed by local education authorities. DfES: Department for Education and Skills,