Aistear is the curriculum framework for children from birth to 6 years in Ireland. It provides information for adults to help them plan for and provide enjoyable and challenging experiences so that all children can grow and develop as competent and confident learners within loving relationships with others. 
 
Aistear celebrates early childhood as a time of being, and of enjoying and learning from experiences as they unfold. It is underpinned by 12 interconnecting principles presented in 3 groups:

• Children and their lives in early childhood

• Children’s connections with others

• How children learn and develop

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The framework uses the following interconnectedly to describe children’s learning and development:

• Well-being

• Identity and Belonging

• Communicating

• Exploring and Thinking