Adult Led & Adult Initiated Experiences – Short Term Planning (Birth to 5yrs)
Areas of Learning
PSED
CL
Lit
Maths
UW
CD
PD
Information from Home
/ Summary of
Observations (Needs &
Interests)
EYFS Development
Matters /
Learning Intention
Whole Group / Class
Shared Experience
(FS1 & FS2 /
Nursery & Reception)
Differentiation
(Individual and / or Group
Support & Challenge)
Role of Adult
(During
Child-Initiated / AdultInitiated / Adult-Led
Experiences)
- Vocabulary
- Key Open-Ended
Questions
- Resources
Possible Adult-Led & Adult-Initiated Experiences in the Workshops / Learning
Areas:
Role Play
Sand
Water
Sensory / ‘Messy’
Play
Construction
Small World
Malleable
Painting / Collage
Printing
Model Making
Mark-making
Books & Stories
Games / Discovery
ICT
Music
Evaluation
(Supported by
Observations)
NB: The learning intention / development matters can be met anywhere within the indoor/outdoor learning environment
Footnotes for Guidance / Reference
 Planning needs to be flexible and a working document
 Daily routines may be used to meet the planned learning intentions / development matters
 ‘The EYFS requires providers to ensure a balance of child-initiated and adult-led play based activities
 There should be an adult focused activity for each area of learning
 Symbols or colours may also be used to indicate adult-led and adult-initiated experiences in the workshop /
learning areas
 A proportion of blank boxes promotes a balance between child-initiated and adult-initiated /led experiences
 Child initiated activity - a self initiated activity wholly decided upon by the child and is the result of their own
motivation to explore a project or express an idea. The child takes total ownership of the activity and may change
it to a different purpose than originally intended by an adult
 Adult initiated activity - an activity planned by an adult that focuses on a specific learning intention that the child
may complete independently or with adult support. Children can have free access or they may be directed
particularly if they will benefit from the experience
 Adult led activity – an activity planned, structured and delivered by an adult to a child or group of children. It
focuses on the direct teaching of skills and knowledge with a specific learning intention in mind
Adapted from