An important belief that guides instruction in the primary years is that children are at different levels of maturity when they enter school at five years of age. Children have reached different levels of physical, intellectual, emotional and social development. Thus, just as young children learn to walk and talk at different times, so too do they acquire skills and knowledge at different times. The following Principles of Learning, which the Ministry of Education has developed to guide curriculum and instruction from K to 12 in B.C., are particularly important in primary classrooms. Learning requires the active participation of the student.
People learn in a variety of ways and at different rates.
Learning is both an individual and a group process. Although the prime goal of schools, supported by family and community, is intellectual development, children's learning takes place in an environment where all aspects of the child's development are considered. The teacher strives to create a learning environment which supports growth in emotional and social development, physical development, sense of social responsibility and aesthetic and artistic development as well as the intellectual aspects of learning. These whole class activities also include singing, dramatic activities and artistic endeavours. At these times, you will observe that children are talking with each other, negotiating tasks and solving problems together.