The EYFS Advantage: Why the First 5 Years Shape Future Academic Success
5, 14 or 16 years old? What is the most valuable period in a child’s life? Neuroscientists agree on the fact that the first 5 years old is a vital part in a child’s brain development. During this time, over a million brain connections are formed each second.
These invisible links have a direct impact on children’s ability to learn, speak, memorize, and other activities that shape mental, emotional, and social growth of a kid.
In France, 5-year olds go to École Maternelle, in Germany — to Kindergarten, but in the UK to EYFS. Let’s talk about the importance of Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) framework on future academic success and its main advantages.
What Is the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)?
We’ll start with the meaning of the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). In short, it’s an all-English educational system and stage for children 0-5 years old. It’s used across the whole country and uniforms the standards for pre-school development.
There are also 4 essential areas of growth to form a holistic educational approach:
- Cognitive development.
- EQ.
- Motor abilities.
- Expressing oneself.
Some traditional academic models focus too much on memorization and formal teaching. However, the EYFS is built around play-based learning, so that pupils acquire skills naturally: through games, observations, and interaction.
Example: a child can learn about numbers by counting toys rather than learning strictly from textbooks.
There is also research that supports this idea. Studies conducted by the UK Department for Education illustrate the benefit from EYFS. First of all, children have less stress — both from expectations and pressure. A similar study used the data from the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Psychologists and neuroscientists have found out that kids who take part in an EYFS programme have a higher chance of finishing higher education levels and doing better in reading and math.
Main Features
The EYFS classroom is different from a traditional one. For example, you can notice more creative spaces, colourful furniture, a lot of educational toys and posters. Usually a day starts with some writing practice that was learned the day before. After that it can be a story tale or phonics Early Years Foundation Stage activities.
A week often ends with a school assembly where pupils are given stickers and "Star of the Week" awards to celebrate their achievements and progress. Teachers weekly (or even daily) recognise any effort, curiosity, and kindness and create a positive environment where every child feels valued and eager to learn. The period of pupils’ introduction to the Early Years Foundation Stage is important for later results.
Key Principles
There are no 2 children alike
The principle recognises each child as a distinct individual who is learning and growing at their own pace and style. The EYFS stays away from a "one-size-fits-all" approach. Which means that instead of general comparison, teachers assess each student’s progress separately and share the results with parents.
The advantage is that children learn that their academic experience can be different. They don’t lose confidence or feel anxiety.
Safe and positive environment
Children learn better when they feel safe. And sometimes it’s not only about having a security post or CCTV cameras. Safety comes first from supportive teaching staff.
For example, a child can be given a task to do and can have some difficulties. In this situation, a teacher will support them and help them do the task themselves rather than correct the task immediately and say that the child is wrong. This all builds emotional regulation which later leads to academic success.
First-hand learning
It’s one of the 4 principles of Early Years Foundation Stage. Usually the classrooms have accessible resources to play and study from, such as lego blocks, sand, water, and natural materials. There are always cozy reading corners with children’s books and learning spaces.
Learning takes time
Children develop across multiple domains simultaneously and at different speeds. A child may be advanced in physical development but improving language skills more slowly.
Early Years Foundation Stage Curriculum Breakdown
Seven interrelated learning areas make up the EYFS curriculum. These are intended to promote both overall development and academic readiness.
1. Communication and language
Main focus: listening, understanding, and speaking skills.
Learning techniques: storytelling, group discussions, singing, rhymes.
2. Physical development
Main focus: motor skills (running, jumping) and fine motor skills (writing, drawing, crafting).
Learning techniques: outdoor play, drawing, climbing and balancing.
3. Personal, social and emotional development
Main focus: emotional control, self-confidence, communication.
Learning techniques: group games and activities.
4. Literacy
Main focus: sounds, phonetics, and letters.
Learning techniques: phonemes (recognising sounds), graphemes (matching sounds to letters), blending sounds to read words, spelling.
5. Mathematics
Main focus: understanding math operations.
Learning techniques: counting, learning shapes, patterns, addition and subtraction.
6. Understanding the World
Main focus: people, communities, nature, and technology.
Learning techniques: learning cultural traditions, nature and seasons, basic scientific concepts.
7. Arts and design
Main focus: art.
Learning techniques: drawing and painting, music, acting.
System For Everyone
The model supports inclusion in Early Years Foundation Stage in every aspect. Which means, everyone is granted equal access to quality education regardless of their background, language, and special learning needs.
EYFS encourages adaptable teaching. It means that a learning plan can be modified to match a family's needs. For example, at British International school we support multilingual learners but the main communication is in English. Also we encourage peer learning and group projects. We have a buddy system where one pupil helps a new student settle into our school.
Global Practice
The UK is not the only country that uses the EYFS model. Many international schools, especially those that provide British, multilingual, or international curricula, have adopted it. You can find these academic programmes in Europe, Russia, the Middle East, and Asia. You can explore the EYFS programme at international elementary schools in your country. In Moscow, you can find this curriculum at the British International school.
Children start with Nursery and then attend Reception. The Nursery Stage helps to ease your child's adaptation to a new environment and prepare them for the transition to Year 1. The child develops an idea of what teachers expect from them, and becomes fully prepared for learning at the next level.
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