Lifelong Learning: The Result of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy

Today, we might not remember complex algebra equations or Shakespeare’s writings. But we have not forgotten our basic ability to do calculations or how to read, write, and understand. What we learn in our foundation years is the most important learning and life skill.

The early years of any child are crucial for their learning and development. Whatever they learn in their early years stays with them for life, and it is the foundation on which all other learning and experiences will be based. So, children must be taught the basics, like reading, writing, and arithmetic, in the early years.

The National Education Policy 2020 recognises this and insists on Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (NLC). The aim is to ensure that all children receive early childhood education and develop foundational skills. Given how vast our country is, it is a challenge to ensure that all children in India achieve foundational literacy and numeracy. Still, the Government has introduced many initiatives like the NIPUN Bharat Mission.

What is Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)?

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy is the basic ability to understand and comprehend written and verbal information, have communication skills, and do basic mathematical calculations.

These skills are taught in the early years of education (0-8 years) and are called foundational, as all other learning, development, and experiences are based on these skills. Any child’s future depends on his foundational skills and how well he will do personally and professionally. The FLN can be classified into two components:

1. Foundational Language And Literacy

This covers oral language development, reading comprehension, fluency, decoding, and writing. This means,

• The ability to articulate through vocabulary,
• Understand what is spoken, associate the written alphabet with the phonetics it represents,
• Read and understand written matter and read out entire sentences, not just words, and,
• To be able to write and convey thoughts and information.

2. Foundational Numeracy

This covers pre-number concepts, operations on numbers, shapes, data handling, and measurements. This means:

• Understanding the concept of numbers and counting,
• Learning the base ten system,
• Understanding space and structure and being able to apply it to daily life and
• Can basic calculations up to three-digit numbers, including additions, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

Strengthening Foundational Literacy and Numeracy through NEP 2020

The National Education Policy 2020 recognises the importance of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy. To ensure every child is exposed to FLN, NEP has restructured the school system into a 5+3+3+4 format. As per the new format, the foundational stages are the first five years, starting from age three and including preschool and Grades I and II (3-8 years).

To achieve FLN by 2025, NEP 2020 has launched the National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading Understanding and Numeracy (NIPUN) Bharat Mission. Under the guidelines of NEP, this mission aims to ensure that every child attains FLN by 2026-27 through teacher training, resource development, and tracking student progress. Many resources, including infographics, byte-size videos, worksheets, etc., are available online to help achieve FLN.

Importance of Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN)

Foundational Literacy and Numeracy shape a child’s life and teach basic life skills like reading, writing, and communication. So it is essential to any child’s early development and will decide his future.

• Develops Cognitive and Socio-Economic Skills: FLN teaches skills such as reading, writing, and comprehension, which develop children’s cognitive skills. It also enhances critical thinking, analytical abilities, communication skills, and confidence.
• Ensures Lifelong Learning and Economic Development: Developing analytical skills helps in making better decisions throughout life, accelerates careers, and improves one’s chances of living a better life and earning well.
• Builds a Strong Educational Foundation: The whole basis of FLN is to ensure that it builds a strong educational foundation for every child, which will be helpful throughout life and help children live better lives.
• Effort to Reduce India’s Learning Crisis: Around 50 million children lack education and basic literacy in India. NEP aims to tackle this and ensure every child gets basic foundational literacy.
• Teachers and Communities are Empowered: Teachers need to be equipped with the latest materials, training, and resources to teach better and implement FLN. So, in a way, FLN empowers the entire community, from teachers to parents.

How is Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Helping in Schools?

As per the NEP 2020 and its aim to ensure foundational literacy and numeracy for every child, it is mandatory for all schools to teach young children basic skills and help them achieve the best. This is how Foundational literacy and numeracy in education are helpful in schools:

• Lay the Foundations of Strong Basics: With FLN, each child’s basics are clear and solid, so his ability to read, write, and solve math problems is strong.
• Ensure Lifelong Learning: Schools teach children skills that will stay with them all their lives and help them in later years gain more knowledge, get a better job, and be better humans.
• Promote Critical Thinking: Teachers teach students how to solve math problems, read and write, articulate their thoughts, and more. These things promote critical thinking, and children become equipped to face all challenges in life.
• Improved Academic Success: What children learn in the early years of their schooling shapes them and their academic performance. With enhanced early development, their academic success through life is guaranteed.
• Ensure Equity and Inclusion: In schools, all children are taught the same skills and treated in the same manner. There is no discrimination.
• Improve Communication: Children who can read, write, and understand can communicate their thoughts and feelings better. They also become more empathetic, learn to care for others, and be kind to everyone.
• Promote Independence and Self-Confidence: Having basic skills from an early age gives children a sense of confidence and pride when they can solve math problems, read story books, and communicate effectively.

Extramarks’ Role in Supporting Student Growth through FLN

• Experiential Learning Tools: By the FLN framework, Extramarks provides resources for experiential and play-based learning.
• Teacher Training: Extramarks’ tools and training programs help teachers learn using student-centered methodologies, which enhances their ability to educate students.
• Formative Assessments: The formative assessments available on Extramarks aid teachers in conducting evaluations and tracking students’ progress more effectively.
• Parent-Teacher Collaboration: Extramarks foster strong parent-teacher partnerships, ensuring continuous support for students learning from home.
• Holistic Student Support: Extramarks provides a supportive learning environment through the FLN framework, which leads to students’ academic and personal growth.

Conclusion

As crucial as FLN is for a child’s development, it should not be taken lightly, and apart from teachers, parents also play a vital role in developing these skills amongst children. Children learn the most from their parents and teachers, especially when younger.

So, parents should also keep promoting foundational literacy and numeracy in children to improve their future and enhance their social, personal, and professional growth. With many resources and platforms like Extramarks, it is easier to lay the foundations required in kids from an early age.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is foundational numeracy and literacy?

Foundational numeracy and literacy (FLN) refers to basic reading, writing, and math skills that form the foundation for further learning and education.

2. What are the 5 pillars of FLN?

The five pillars of FLN are Educational Infrastructure, Access to Education, Basic Health, learning outcomes, and Governance.

3. What are the fundamentals of literacy and numeracy?

The fundamentals of literacy include reading, writing, speaking, and understanding language, while numeracy involves basic math skills like counting, addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

4. What is FLN’s main objective?

The main objective of FLN is to equip children with essential literacy and numeracy skills to support their overall learning and development.

Last Updated on October 29, 2024