EYFS SMSC (spiritual, moral, social and cultural)

The seven areas of Learning and Development together make up the skills, knowledge and experiences appropriate for babies and children as they grow, learn and develop.

Although presented as separate areas, it is important to remember that for children everything links and nothing is compartmentalised. The challenge for practitioners is to ensure that children’s learning and development occur as an outcome of their individual interests and abilities and that planning for learning and development takes account of these.

Note:

This table is offered as a starting point for considering how children’s spiritual (moral, social and cultural) development can be enhanced and their love of learning fostered.

Some areas more readily link with particular capacities than do others. The line of reasoning here is that by focusing on encouraging children’s sensitivity and awareness (of self and others) their personal, social and emotional development is improved. Through developing skills of reflecting on experience their knowledge and understanding of the world is more relevant.

In the Early Years Foundation Stage, as when children are older, their academic development is improved when their personal development (including the spiritual, moral, social and cultural dimensions) is addressed.