Early years

Within emotional, personal and social development, children should learn to:

• develop confidence, self-esteem and a sense of security
• care for themselves and their personal safety
• develop independence, for example in dressing and personal hygiene
• persevere in tasks that first present some difficulties
• express appropriate feelings, needs and preferences
• form positive relationships with other children and adults, and begin to develop particular friendships with other children
• become aware of and respect the needs and feelings of others in their behaviour, and learn to follow rules
• make and express choices, plans and decisions
• play cooperatively, take turns and share resources
• become aware that the celebration of cultural and religious festivals is important in people's lives
• develop positive attitudes towards others whose gender, language, religion or culture is different from their own
• care for the environment and for other people in the community.    

A Curriculum Framework for Children 3-5 (Learning and Teaching Scotland, 1999)