Aistear
Aistear at St. Conleth’s National School
Aistear is the early childhood curriculum framework for all children from birth to six years. The word Aistear is the Irish word for journey and was chosen because
early childhood marks the beginning of children’s lifelong learning journeys. Aistear was piloted at the school in recent years and was formally introduced to our
Junior and Senior Infant classrooms in September 2017.
What is Aistear?
Aistear involves learning through structured play. Aistear is a key learning and teaching tool used to implement the primary school curriculum in infant classes.
Aistear sessions last for an hour, with an emphasis on active learning and oral language development. Each class is supported by the learning support team during
this hour. Curriculum subjects covered during Aistear include: S.E.S.E., S.P.H.E., oral language, reading, writing, maths, art, music and drama. During the Aistear
hour, the children are implementing their numeracy and literacy skills in a more meaningful way through the use of role play, games and real-life situations.
Aistear as an approach and methodology :-
• Develops the fundamental skills of literacy, numeracy and oral communication
• Provides rich and varied contexts for developing skills such as observing, organising, recording, interpreting and
predicting
• Promotes positive attitudes to school and to learning
• Provides opportunities to learn in a practical way
• Provides opportunities for developing movement and manipulative skills
• Develops natural curiosity and stimulates imagination
• Provides opportunities for exploration, investigation, problem solving and decision-making
• Provides opportunities to develop knowledge, understanding and skills through a range of contexts spanning all subjects in the curriculum
Planning and delivering Aistear involves providing a wide variety of worthwhile experiences which will help to develop the children’s knowledge, skills and
understanding. The fun element of play and engagement with peers is harnessed and utilised. Children are given opportunities to manage information, to think, to
solve problems and to make decisions, to be creative, to work with others and to self-manage.
Aistear is the early childhood curriculum framework for all children from birth to six years. The word Aistear is the Irish word for journey and was chosen because
early childhood marks the beginning of children’s lifelong learning journeys. Aistear was piloted at the school in recent years and was formally introduced to our
Junior and Senior Infant classrooms in September 2017.
What is Aistear?
Aistear involves learning through structured play. Aistear is a key learning and teaching tool used to implement the primary school curriculum in infant classes.
Aistear sessions last for an hour, with an emphasis on active learning and oral language development. Each class is supported by the learning support team during
this hour. Curriculum subjects covered during Aistear include: S.E.S.E., S.P.H.E., oral language, reading, writing, maths, art, music and drama. During the Aistear
hour, the children are implementing their numeracy and literacy skills in a more meaningful way through the use of role play, games and real-life situations.
Aistear as an approach and methodology :-
• Develops the fundamental skills of literacy, numeracy and oral communication
• Provides rich and varied contexts for developing skills such as observing, organising, recording, interpreting and
predicting
• Promotes positive attitudes to school and to learning
• Provides opportunities to learn in a practical way
• Provides opportunities for developing movement and manipulative skills
• Develops natural curiosity and stimulates imagination
• Provides opportunities for exploration, investigation, problem solving and decision-making
• Provides opportunities to develop knowledge, understanding and skills through a range of contexts spanning all subjects in the curriculum
Planning and delivering Aistear involves providing a wide variety of worthwhile experiences which will help to develop the children’s knowledge, skills and
understanding. The fun element of play and engagement with peers is harnessed and utilised. Children are given opportunities to manage information, to think, to
solve problems and to make decisions, to be creative, to work with others and to self-manage.