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
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         13-162 • ISBN 978-1-4606-3838-5 (Print) • ISBN 978-1-4606-3839-2 (PDF) © Queen’s Printer for Ontario, 2014
                 Contents
                 Acknowledgements                                               3            Supporting a Continuum of Learning                            14
                                                                                             Early Years Curriculum                                        15
                 A Vision for Ontario’s Early Years                             4            Early Years Pedagogy                                          16
                                                                                             The Child                                                     17
                 Introduction                                                   5                Understanding Child Development                           17
                 An Understanding of Children, Families, and Educators          6                Understanding Children from Different Perspectives        17
                 The Four Foundations of How Does Learning Happen?              7            The Family                                                    18
                                                                                             The Community                                                 19
                 ELECT and a Brief History of                                                The Educator                                                  19
                 Early Learning in Ontario                                      9                Critical Reflection                                       20
                 ELECT Principles                                             10                 Collaborative Inquiry                                     20
                 Building from ELECT to How Does Learning Happen?             10                 The Environment                                           20
                 Research, Theory, and Practice                                11                Pedagogical Documentation                                 21
                 What’s Most Important?                                        11            Foundations for Learning                                      23
                 How to Use This Resource Guide                               12             Belonging: Cultivating Authentic Relationships 
                 Goals for Children                                           12             and Connections                                               24
                 Expectations for Programs                                    13                 Overview                                                  24
                 Questions for Reflection                                     13                 Goals and Expectations                                    26
                                                                                                 Questions for Reflection                                  28
                 Une publication équivalente est disponible en français sous le titre suivant :  
                 Comment apprend-on? – Pédagogie de l’Ontario pour la petite enfance. 
                 This publication is also available on the Ministry of Education’s website, at www.ontario.ca/edu.
                Well-Being: Nurturing Healthy Development and Well-Being   29           Expression: Fostering Communication and Expression 
                    Overview                                              29            in All Forms                                               41
                    Goals and Expectations                                32                Overview                                               41
                    Questions for Reflection                              34                Goals and Expectations                                 43
                Engagement: Creating Contexts for Learning through                          Questions for Reflection                               45
                Exploration, Play, and Inquiry                            35
                    Overview                                              35            References                                                 46
                    Goals and Expectations                                37
                    Questions for Reflection                              39