A lobby of education experts have criticised the government's plans for an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Due to be introduced across England in September, the EYFS curriculum includes literary goals for children as young as four to be taught to write in sentences and use punctuation. But in a letter to The Times, a number of key figures have labelled this as being 'far too advanced for many young children'. Over 80 members of the Open Eye Campaign, founded by Richard House, a child psychologist and university lecturer, argue that there are risks that children's progress could be harmed by the ambitious targets. Although Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, Beverley Hughes MP, has commissioned Sir Jim Rose to review these aims, campaigners are still critical of the programme. They have called for the targets to become 'voluntary guidance' and for the scheme to apply for older pupils, from age six. Institute of Education research released to the Liberal Democrats under the Freedom of Information Act this month suggests that the EYFS curriculum may have no real impact on a child's academic development. ...
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A lobby of education experts have criticised the government's plans for an Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Due to be introduced across England in September, the EYFS curriculum includes literary goals for children as young as four to be taught to write in sentences and use punctuation. But in a letter to The Times, a number of key figures have labelled this as being 'far too advanced for many young children'. Over 80 members of the Open Eye Campaign, founded by Richard House, a child psychologist and university lecturer, argue that there are risks that children's progress could be harmed by the ambitious targets. Although Minister of State for Children, Young People and Families, Beverley Hughes MP, has commissioned Sir Jim Rose to review these aims, campaigners are still critical of the programme. They have called for the targets to become 'voluntary guidance' and for the scheme to apply for older pupils, from age six. Institute of Education research released to the Liberal Democrats under the Freedom of Information Act this month suggests that the EYFS curriculum may have no real impact on a child's academic development. ...