Learning Stories | EYFS

EYFS definition

Learning Stories are narrative accounts that describe a learning experience and interpret what it may show about a child’s learning, interests and dispositions, such as curiosity or persistence. In EYFS settings, they are one possible approach to reflecting on and sharing learning.

Where does the approach come from?

The approach developed through Margaret Carr and colleagues’ work in Aotearoa New Zealand, in the context of Te Whāriki, its early childhood curriculum. It is also used internationally.

Learning Stories are not a required EYFS format. They can sit alongside other ways of understanding children’s learning.

What might a Learning Story include?

A story might describe a child rebuilding a collapsed bridge, interpret their experimenting and persistence, and consider opportunities to revisit the idea. The child’s explanation or a family’s account of similar play at home can add another perspective.

Photographs or children’s work may accompany the account, but the learning interpretation gives the story its purpose.

How does it differ from an observation?

A narrative observation describes an event. A Learning Story also explores its meaning for learning and possible future experiences, often through dialogue with children and families.

Interpretations remain open to discussion. A single story offers one perspective, while revisiting experiences can reveal connections over time.

Further Guidance | Related Documents

Explore resources connected with this term. Each card identifies the resource’s intended age group and access type.

Highlighted resource

Scroll sideways, focus the list and use your arrow keys, or use the buttons.

Find practical resources for your setting

Start with an age gateway

Useful routes into practice

Explore more of the site

Return to the top ↑ · Back to the EYFS glossary

In Tags