Infant Mental Health
4 Foundations of Learning
Belonging
Belonging refers to a sense of connectedness to others, an individual's experiences of being valued, of forming relationships with others and making contributions as a part of a group, a community, the natural world.
Expression
Expression may take many different forms. Through their bodies, words and use of materials, children develop capacities for increasingly complex communication. Opportunities to explore materials support creativity, problem solving, and mathematical behaviours.Language-rich environments support growing communication skills, which are foundational for literacy.
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Well-Being
Well-being addresses the importance of physical and mental health and wellness. It incorporates capacities such as self-care, sense of self, and self-regulation skills.
Engagement
Engagement suggests a state of being involved and focused. When children are able to explore the world around them with their natural curiosity and exuberance, they are fully engaged. Through this type of play and inquiry, they develop skills such as problem solving, creative thinking, and innovating, which are essential for learning and success in school and beyond.
Foundations of Learning
The 4 foundations of learning are important in order to help children grow and flourish. They outline all infant's and children's potential and work as a guideline for what they should experience each day. These foundations can be applied to all children and consist of; belonging, well-being, engagement, and expression.
How Does Learning Happen (HDLH)
Caregivers are the first and most powerful influence on children's learning, development, health and well-being. Learning has a shared understanding of the needs and views of the child, the family, and the educator. How learning happens is shaped around the 4 conditions that are essential for children to grow and develop - belonging, well-being, engagement, and expression.
Connection between HDLH and Early ON
Many studies have proven that programs where adults are engaging with infants and children will ultimately help them grow. Early ON focuses on the 4 aspects listed above, which will promote the development of optimal learning and development. Early ON programs are focused on exploration, play, engagement, expression and inquiry which all help with children succeeding in active learning.
References
Baby Feet Clipart Free. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.clipart.email/clipart/baby-feet-clipart-free-52800.html
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EarlyON Child & Family Centres - Children's Services. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://dnssab.ca/childrens-services/earlyon/
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Ministry of Education. (2014). How does learning happen?: Ontario's pedagogy for the early years: a resource about learning through relationships for those who work with young children and their families. Toronto. [PDF File]. Retrieved from http://edu.gov.on.ca/childcare/HowLearningHappens.pdf
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Spreeuwenberg, byR., Spreeuwenberg, byR., Burns, P. V., Choi, P. C., & Knechel, P. M. (2019, October 25). How Does Learning Happen? The Four Foundations of Learning. Retrieved from https://blog.himama.com/how-does-learning-happen-ontario-pedagogy-early-years/
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