A planning cycle in early childhood education refers to a process kaiako follow to plan, implement and evaluate learning experiences for children in their care.
Te Whāriki describes planning and what is needed to implement effective learning. It says that “planning involves deliberate decision making about the priorities for learning that have been identified by the kaiako, parents, whānau and community of the ECE service.” Planning cycles should be designed to consider the specific needs and interests of each child and relate to the framework of te Whāriki. A planning cycle is useful for kaiako to
- assess learning and progress
- engage with the learning framework
- set goals for individual and group learning
- collaborate with colleagues to affirm and challenge practices
- plan for further learning. (Aussie Childcare Network Team, 2022)
The planning cycle is an essential tool for early childhood educators to use to help them meet the individual needs and interests of their young children in a continuous 5-step process for ongoing improvement in teaching practice and better outcomes for the children:
Purpose: To gather information about children’s interests, skills, behaviours and developmental progress to create a detailed understanding of each child’s current developmental stage and interests.
Activities:
- watching children during play and routine activities
- noting interactions with peers and adults
- recording specific behaviours, language use and emotional response
Tools:
- anecdotal records
- checklists
- photographs
- video recordings
Purpose: To interpret the information collected during observation to determine children’s strengths and weaknesses to get a clear picture of each child’s developmental progress and needs to inform future planning.
Activities:
- analysing observational data
- comparing observations to developmental milestones and learning standards
- identifying patterns and significant events in children’s behaviour and learning
Tools:
- developmental checklists
- portfolios of children’s work
- assessment tools (if appropriate)
Purpose: To design activities and experiences that support and extend children’s development and learning and create a structured and adaptable plan which addresses the learning objectives and developmental goals of the children.
Activities:
- setting specific, measurable goals for individual children and for the group
- planning activities that align with children’s interests and developmental needs
- preparing materials and resources needed for activities
Tools:
- curriculum frameworks and guidelines
- weekly and daily lesson plans
- resource and material lists
Purpose: To carry out the planned activities and interactions with the children and engage them in learning experiences to foster their development.
Activities:
- activity materials and resources
- flexible schedules
- supportive and enriching learning environments
Tools:
- activity materials and resources
- flexible schedules
- supportive and enriching learning experiences
Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness of the planned activities and make informed decisions for future planning to get insights into what worked and what can be improved.
Activities:
- reflecting on the success and challenges of implemented activities
- gathering feedback from children, colleagues and parents
- reviewing observational and assessment data
Tools:
- reflective journals
- collaborative team meetings
- feedback forms
Activity
Use your experiences in early childhood education to draft a planning cycle for an infant, toddler or young child, using one of the resources you designed for assessment 03A3. Your planning cycle will completed for assessment 03A4 – make sure to read the assessment requirements and work towards this. You can read more about planning cycles here and here.
In your planning consider the theories of children’s learning and development which underpin your planning cycle elements.
You’ve reached the end of this topic, let’s go over the key points”
- Planning cycles are an important part of an educator’s practice and should be designed to consider the specific needs and interests of each child.
- They should also relate to the framework of te Whāriki.
- Planning cycles can help kaiako to: assess learning and engagement, engage with the learning framework, set goals for individuals and groups, collaborate with peers and plan for further learning.
- The planning cycle has five stages: Observe, Analyse, Plan, Implement, Evaluate
You have also reached the end of the learning material for Course 3. Make sure you have completed the quiz questions and activities and submitted your assessments! The next module is “Professional Practice”.
