The South African school curriculum for young children is structured around two key frameworks: Early Learning Development Areas (ELDA) and National Early Learning Development Standards (NELDS) for babies to four years, and the Curriculum and Assessment Policy Statement (CAPS) for Grade R.

1. ELDA and NELDS (Birth to 4 years):

– ELDA provides guidelines for developing essential skills in six core areas: Well-being, Identity and Belonging, Communication, Exploring Mathematics, Creativity, and Knowledge and Understanding of the World.

– NELDS supports these developmental areas by setting age-appropriate standards that promote emotional, physical, cognitive, and social growth. The focus is on a holistic approach to early childhood, emphasizing play-based learning that is responsive to the child’s environment.

2. CAPS for Grade R (5-6 years):

– The CAPS curriculum, introduced in Grade R, prepares children for formal schooling by focusing on foundational skills in Literacy, Numeracy, and Life Skills. The emphasis remains on play-based learning, fostering creativity, language development, problem-solving, and social interaction, while also introducing early academic concepts to prepare children for Grade 1.

Together, these frameworks ensure that early learning is balanced, with a focus on developmental milestones, readiness for school, and holistic child growth.