5.5 Flexible Timeframes in Early Years Classrooms

PROGRAMME OF INQUIRY

children aged 3-6 years inquire into a minimum of 4 units of inquiry per year, including:

Who we are

TEACHER DISCRETION/AGENCY

teachers can determine appropriate time frames for units of inquiry, ensuring they...

are age-appropriate

are fit for purpose

last a minimum duration of 3-4 weeks per unit

How we express ourselves

EXAMPLES of FLEXIBLE UNIT TIME FRAMES units can be...

developed continually throughout the year

revisited once, or numerous times throughout the year

created with a discrete beginning & end

introduced alongside another unit

especially useful for central ideas about understanding scientific principles and/or exploring and caring for the environment

give children multiple opportunities to engage with central ideas, making ongoing observations for issues such as changes in nature, cultural events/exchanges, cycles, and human observation

to fit with the flow of the school year or events in the learning community

for exploring central ideas that sustain and enrich each other

HELPFUL QUESTIONS to ask yourself

What do you consider to be the benefits of flexible timeframes for units of inquiry?

What are the potential risks of running year-long units? How could you address these challenges?