Aistear, the Irish word for journey, is the curriculum framework for all children from birth to six years across all early years’ settings; the child’s own home, and junior and senior classes in primary schools. It provides information, ideas and suggestions to help you support children’s learning and development. The National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCAA) developed Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework in partnership with the early childhood sector: practitioners, children, parents, people in education and training, researchers, and policy makers.
Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. The Framework uses four interconnected themes to describe the content of children’s learning and development: Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communicating, and Exploring and Thinking.
Aistear highlights the critical role of play, relationships and language for young children’s learning. In doing this, it provides a guide to using play, interactions, partnerships with parents, and assessment to help children progress in their learning and development. Aistear is for all children from birth to six years.
Aistear has four interconnected themes: