Skills progression has an important part to play in designing a well-rounded art curriculum but what does the term ‘skills progression’ actually mean?

In its most basic form, it is essentially advancing pupils through a series of simple steps that becomes progressively more advanced in order to develop proficiency in more complex skills.

I was recently lucky enough to be interviewed for Naylor’s Natter discussing traditional teaching methods in EYFS.

Sometimes, I think we as teachers (and I’ve been just as guilty) try to fix situations and create smiles. We want children to be happy. That’s no bad thing but emotions are a part of life and I do believe that children should feel them. Sadness is a part of that life and feeling it and processing it is necessary.

Early Years Foundation Stage can seem overwhelming to those on the outside looking in. It’s a complex series of documents that places the child at the centre. All schools and Early Years providers who are Ofsted registered follow the EYFS. It is important to remember that EYFS applies specifically to England. To truly understand the complexities it needs to be understood that the entire foundation stage has been informed by some essential principles that are reflected throughout the framework.