Introducing the Early Learning Framework

Course Overview

This course is designed to help you understand and explore the British Columbia Early Learning Framework. It is intended to be a guide to the concepts presented in the framework, and help you reflect on those concepts as they relate to your own professional practice, or your interest in early learning.

B.C.’s Early Learning Framework guides and supports readers in thinking about and fostering early learning.

The framework

• Establishes a vision for respectfully living and learning together
• Supports the rich early learning experiences of children
• Provides a focal point for dialogue among British Columbians
• Creates a common language and greater understanding of the importance of early learning

Course Goals

The goals of the course are to help you understand and begin to implement

• the Principles of Early Learning
• a pedagogy of listening, critical reflection, collaborative dialogue and pedagogical narration to enhance learning
• the Living inquiries

Course Navigation

You can navigate this course by selecting a module from the dropdown menus at the top. You are able to navigate freely between modules, and are not required to complete them in any order.

Within each module, you are able to move forwards and backwards via the “next” and “previous” buttons on each page. As you work through the course, you’ll see direct links to the framework in the sidebar, including what page you can reference if you want to read more or return to that section at another time.

Terms throughout the course that are bolded have definitions attached to them. You can view these by clicking the term or viewing the glossary. Resources and References that are mentioned throughout the course can be accessed via the resources page.

What’s in the Course?

The course is divided into six modules, which are tied to the three sections of the Early Learning Framework. You are welcome to explore the modules in any order. To help you determine the content you wish to review, explore each module description.

Module 1: The Principles of Early Learning

Module 2: Rethinking Learning and Practice

Modules 3-6: Living Inquiries

Assessment

This course provides you with multiple ways to assess your learning. Throughout the online course, you will encounter case studies, reflective questions, and knowledge check activities. After you finish the online course, you’ll be able to continue on to a final assessment, which is marked and tracked, and leads to the awarding of professional development hours.

Assessment Throughout the Course

Assessment After the Course

The final assessment is an opportunity to assess your learning for all six modules of the course.There are three parts of the final assessment, each one with a separate certificate. For each part of the assessment you successfully complete, you will earn a set number of professional development hours. If you complete all three parts of the assessment, you will earn a total of eight professional development hours.

The three parts of the final assessment are:

• Module 1: The Principles of Early Learning exam will provide 2 hours of professional development
• Module 2: Rethinking Learning and Practice exam will provide 2 hours of professional development
• Modules 3-6: Living Inquiries exam will provide 4 hours of professional development

As you work through the course, you can pause to take each assessment after you complete the module(s), or you can complete all three at the end. There is no time limit or restriction on accessing or completing the exams.

To access the exams, you will need to register for an account and login to the exam portion of Introducing the Early Learning Framework. Any concerns with accessing this portion of the course can be directed to EDUC.earlylearning@gov.bc.ca.

Please visit B.C.'s Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Registry for more information on professional development hours and renewing or maintaining your ECE Certification in B.C.