Comprehensive version The SouTh AfricAn nATionAl ...

1 Comprehensive version The SouTh AfricAn nATionAl Curriculum framework for children from Birth to Four Comprehensive version unite for children The SouTh AfricAn nATionAl Curriculum framework for children from Birth to Four February 2015. Department of Basic Education All care has been taken to ensure that the information is correct and original sources have been indicat- ed for reference and verification. With an identification of the Department of Basic Education as source, the document may be freely quoted, reviewed, abstracted, reproduced and translated, in part or in whole, but not for sale nor for use in conjunction with commercial purposes.

2 Original sources should be acknowledged where indicated in the publication. ISBN: 978-1-4315-2008-4. Suggested citation: Department of Basic Education. 2015. The SouTh AfricAn nATionAl Curriculum framework for children from Birth to Four. Pretoria: Department of Basic Education Obtainable free of charge from: Department of Basic Education 222 Struben Street Private Bag X895, Pretoria, 0001. Telephone: 0123573000. Fax: 0123230601. Website: Email: Cover illustration: UNICEF/itldesign Layout: Comprehensive version Contents vi vi Foreward- by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs AM Motshekga, vii Introduction .. 1. The nATionAl Curriculum framework (NCF) provides guidance for those developing programmes and working with babies, toddlers and young children from birth to age four.

3 1. The vision for children in the early years .. 2. Key ideas that shaped the 5. Principles informing the three themes which underpin the NCF .. 7. The Early Learning and Development 8. Early Learning and Development Area One: 17. Early Learning and Development Area Two: Identity and 32. Early Learning and Development Area Three: 41. Early Learning and Development Area Four: Exploring 51. Early Learning and Development Area Five: 57. Early Learning and Development Area Six: Knowledge and understanding of the 65. The child's 65. Assessment of each child's developmental needs and learning 71. 81. i The SouTh AfricAn nATionAl Curriculum framework for children from Birth to Four Terminology Terms used in the nATionAl Curriculum framework for children from birth to four (NCF).

4 Child / children refers to all babies, toddlers and young children whatever their abilities, gender, background, language or culture Parents refers to the main caregiver of the child Families refers to the people with whom the child lives Early Learning and Development Area (ELDA). refers to six organisers relevant to children: Well-being; Identity and Belonging; Communication; Exploring Mathematics;. Creativity; Knowledge and Understanding of the world Acknowledgements The Department of Basic Education is most grateful to a range of stakeholders and individuals for their participation and involvement in the development of the nATionAl Curriculum framework for children from birth to four (NCF).

5 We would like to thank UNICEF for funding the development process of the document. Special thanks to Professor Hasina Ebrahim from the University of Free State and Margaret Irvine for the initial draft, as well as Dr Snoeks Desmond for the final edit of the Comprehensive document and the development of the abridged version . ii Comprehensive version Foreward by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs AM Motshekga, MP. FOREWORD by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs AM Motshekga, MP. FOREWORD by the Minister of Basic Education, Mrs AM Motshekga, MP. Delays in cognitive and overall development before schooling can often have long lasting and costly consequences for children, families and society.

6 The most effective and cost-efficient time to intervene is before birth and the early years of life. Investment in Early Childhood Development shouldinbecognitive Delays a key priority. nATionAl and overall Development development beforePlan: Visioncan schooling foroften 2030 have (2011). long lasting and costly consequences for Delays Research in cognitive shows that and the overall first 1000 development days (pre-birth,before early schooling and late can infancy) often of have birth children, families and society. The most effective and cost-efficient time to intervene is before long and lasting andyears the early costly consequence of life.

7 Life are highly sensitive to environmental effects. children, families Investment and society. in Early Childhood The most should Development effective be aand keycost-efficient timeDevelopment priority. nATionAl to intervenePlan: is before Visionbirth and (2011). for 2030 the early years of Investment Research The showsin nATionAl Early that theChildhood Curriculum Development firstFramework 1000 days (pre-birth, should early for children befour and to birth late a key infancy)priority. yearsof(NCF) nATionAl life are Development highly sensitive Plan: Vision to environmental 2030 (20. is a response Research to challenges shows that1000.)

8 That the first the Early days Childhood (pre-birth, Development early and late(ECD). infancy) of life are highly sensitive to environmental effe The nATionAl sector Curriculum is facing. The firstFramework step towards forthe children birth tooffour development the years NCF was(NCF). theis a response to challenges that the Early development Childhood of the Development nATionAl Early (ECD) sector Learning is Thechildren (NELDS). first step towardsto in 2009. thefour development of theisNCF was the development of that the E. Thefinalisation The nATionAl Curriculum of the NCF was framework informed by consultativebirth processes years (NCF).

9 Which a response to challenges the nATionAl Early Learning Standards (NELDS) in 2009. The finalisation of the NCF was informed by consultative processes Childhood included Development comments from the (ECD) sector public. is facing. These Thewere processes first step usedtowards to shapethe development of the NCF was the developmen which includedthe and finalise comments NCF. from the public. These processes were used to shape and finalise the NCF. the nATionAl Early Learning Standards (NELDS) in 2009. The finalisation of the NCF was informed by consultative proce which The TheNCF. NCFincluded comes comes comments at aattime when a time from we when wethe are arepublic.

10 Celebrating These20processes 20 years celebrating wereinused of democracy years to shape our country of democracy andand finalise it is one the of the NCF. aimed activities atinimproving our country theand it isof quality one of the basic activities education by aimed laying at improving a solid the quality foundation in the early years. The development of the NCF. of basic education by laying a solid foundation in the early years. The The NCF comes at a time when we are celebrating 20 years of democracy is a great achievement for our country as it is the first document of its kind. This will in our country ensure and it isfrom that children onedifferent of the activities aim development of the NCF is a great achievement for our country as it is at improving backgrounds the the of quality in different first document of This settings its kind.