Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL) - Online Course

Gain a deeper understanding of how young children learn best with this focused course on the Characteristics of Effective Learning (CoEL). Designed for early years practitioners, students, and anyone working with children from birth to five, this course explores the key approaches to learning that underpin the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS).

You will learn how to recognise, support, and extend children’s learning through the three main characteristics:

• Playing and Exploring – encouraging curiosity, engagement, and active learning through play

• Active Learning – supporting perseverance, motivation, and resilience in the face of challenges

• Creating and Thinking Critically – fostering problem-solving, critical thinking, and independent ideas

Through practical examples and reflective activities, you’ll develop strategies to observe these behaviours, plan enriching experiences, and create an environment where every child can thrive.

By the end of this course, you will feel confident in applying the Characteristics of Effective Learning in your practice, helping children to become confident, motivated, and independent learners.