Part 2 comprises four chapters, each focused on “thinking about” one of the four Kindergarten frames. Each chapter explores the research that supports the learning focus of the frame for children in Kindergarten, outlines effective pedagogical approaches relevant to the frame, and provides tools for reflection to help educators develop a deeper understanding of learning and teaching in the frame.

2.1 Thinking about Belonging and Contributing

  • Description of the Frame
  • Belonging and Contributing: What Are We Learning from Research?
  • Emotional Development through Relationships
  • Laying the Foundations for Citizenship and Environmental Stewardship
  • Supporting Children’s Sense of Belonging and Contributing through Collaboration, Empathy, and Inclusiveness
  • Developing a Sense of Belonging and Contributing through the Arts

2.2 Thinking about Self-Regulation and Well-Being

  • Description of the Frame
  • Self-Regulation: What Are We Learning from Research?
    • Domains of Self-Regulation
  • Supporting the Development of Self-Regulation
  • The Learning Environment and Self-Regulation
  • Well-Being: What Are We Learning from Research?
    • Determinants of Health
  • Developmental Domains as Components of Overall Well-Being
  • Supporting Development to Enhance Overall Well-Being
  • The Role of Mental Health

2.3 Thinking about Demonstrating Literacy and Mathematics Behaviours

  • Description of the Frame
  • Literacy Behaviours: What Are We Learning from Research?
  • Children’s Prior Engagement with Literacy outside the School
  • Supporting the Development of Literacy Behaviours
    • Understanding the Importance of First Languages
    • Using Critical Literacy to Develop Children’s Critical Thinking
  • Literacy Learning throughout the Day
    • Making Decisions on Level of Support
  • Literacy and the Learning Environment
  • Mathematics Behaviours: What Are We Learning from Research?
  • Children’s Prior Engagement with Mathematics outside the School
  • Supporting the Development of Mathematics Behaviours
    • Understanding the Importance of Connecting Mathematics to Relevant Contexts
  • Mathematics Learning throughout the Day
  • Mathematics and the Learning Environment

2.4 Thinking about Problem Solving and Innovating

  • Description of the Frame
  • Problem Solving and Innovating: What Are We Learning from Research?
    • Children’s Engagement with Problem Solving
    • Children’s Engagement with Innovating
  • Supporting Children’s Development in Problem Solving and Innovating
  • The Role of Play in Inquiry, Problem Solving, and Innovating
  • The Role of Learning in the Outdoors in Problem Solving and Innovating