When your child is observed as they play the adults will be assessing their learning against the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) curriculum. Part of this curriculum is known as the ‘Characteristics of Effective Learning’ (COEL), this focuses on how your child is learning to learn, rather than what they are learning.

Unlike other aspects of the curriculum, the Characteristics of Effective Learning are not divided into age bands.  ‘Learning to learn’ can be observed at any age.

At Knowle Primary we encourage the children to celebrate their learning to learn throughout the day and during reflection time. To do this we have created the ‘Characteristics Dinosaurs’.

Who are the dinosaurs?

The Playing and Exploring dinosaurs look at how you child is engaging in the world around them.

The Active Learning dinosaurs look at how your child is motivated in their learning.

The Creating and Thinking Critically dinosaurs look at how your child is developing their thinking skills.

Sharing between home and school

At Knowle we are passionate about home and school communication. Your child may come home with a Characteristics Dinosaur sticker to celebrate the way they have been learning at school. We would love to see how the children are learning to learn at home. Please send any pictures and comments to your class email and we will add them to your child’s learning journal. To confirm the class emails are:

Stepping Stones - steppingstones@knowle-plymouth.co.uk

Attenborough class - attenborough@knowle-plymouth.co.uk

Earhart class – earhart@knowle-plymouth.co.uk