Nursery World - Learning Behaviours: How should we view the CoEL?

In this final part of his series on learning behaviours, Jan Dubiel explores how early years practitioners should approach the Characteristics of Effective Learning

Recognising the importance of supporting and identifying learning behaviours remains a critical area of development for EYFS educators.

The Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) were initially introduced as an integral part of the revision of the statutory Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) in 2012. This followed the recommendations from the Tickell Review, which in addition to the modified approach of creating Prime and Specific Areas of Learning and Development, proposed establishing the CoEL as a distinct feature of the (then) newly revised EYFS.

As now, these were identified as the following ways in which children learn that should inform educators’ planning and provision:

The Tickell Review made it clear that the CoEL ‘represent processes rather than outcomes’ and that they ‘underline the “will”’, or motivational factors, which enable the learner to employ the effortful control necessary for effective learning (Evangelou, 2009).

Register now to continue reading

Thank you for visiting Nursery World and making use of our archive of more than 35,000 expert features, subject guides, case studies and policy updates. Why not register today and enjoy the following great benefits:

What's included