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Home | News & Events | Blogs | Character Education in the Early Years

Character Education in the Early Years

Posted: 21st March 2024

Character Education in Early Years Wandsworth Prep

The first few years of a child’s life are the most formative and crucially shape the adult they  grow up to be. At Wandsworth Prep we understand that early exposure to Character Education has long lasting effects and lays the foundation for pupils to succeed in school and become positive contributors to society. 

Why is Character Education in the Early Years Important?

The crucial brain connections that will last a child’s lifetime, are formed through the interactions and experiences they have during their first few years of life. Character Education in the Early Years sets the stage for a lifetime of positive habits and values, influencing a child’s behaviour well into adulthood. 

What are the benefits of Character Education in the Early Years?

By focusing on virtues and emotional literacy, Character Education contributes to the social and emotional wellbeing of young children, laying the groundwork for positive mental health in the present, and later in life. Early exposure to Character Education fosters positive relationships with peers, teachers, and family, creating a supportive social environment. Also, the virtues and values instilled during the early years provide a solid foundation for academic success and future learning endeavours.

Building foundations

In the early years, we focus on laying the foundation for essential virtues such as kindness, respect, and responsibility. Young children are highly influenced by the adults and peers around them. Positive character traits, behaviours and values are modelled through stories, role-playing, and positive interactions with adults in the learning environment. 

Character Education focuses on building fundamental social skills such as sharing, listening, and cooperating and making friends.

At Wandsworth Prep we explicitly teach children phrases that they can use to support their play during our PSED sessions such as can I play with that after you? Or please may you pass the x. Children rehearse these phrases in short role play scenarios and reflect on the process. Teaching social phrases help children to clearly and confidently express themselves and ensure that they are able to create respectful relationships with others.
In addition to this, during continuous provision, teachers carefully monitor and support social interactions, where necessary.
It is important for children at this stage to form an understanding of not only their own feelings, but the feelings of others. Children should be supported to navigate emotions and develop a positive sense of self.
In the reception classroom, a wide range of feelings books are available to read both independently and as a class.
Children are taught to recognise their feelings as well as reflect on other’s feelings. Discussions of feelings are an integral part of the classroom. We compare and discuss how people can feel different things and how our own actions can have an impact on those around us.
In our PSED sessions , children are taught strategies for helping to regulate their own emotions and are taught to be considerate of other’s feelings. In addition to this, the children have access to a worry monster to share their thoughts and feelings.
Early character education also instils the concept of personal responsibility – taking ownership of one’s actions and choices. Children develop independence, resilience and perseverance when faced with challenges.

In reception, we cover the importance of developing a positive growth mindset and approach towards our learning, understanding that learning takes time and practise. Our PSED sessions allow children to extend their thinking beyond the circle time into their activities in the continuous provision which link back to the focus for the week.

To find out more about our early years provision, book a place on our reception open day or email office@wandsworthpre.com to arrange a visit with our head, Laura Nike.

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