EYLF overview (Outcomes 1–5)

• 1 Identity · 2 Community · 3 Wellbeing · 4 Learning · 5 Communication
• Stories should evidence dispositions (curiosity, persistence), skills, and relationships.

Map story sections to EYLF

• Observation → What learning behaviours were seen? (verbs, quotes)
• Analysis → Which EYLF outcomes and concepts? Why do they matter?
• Next steps → What experiences, scaffolds, or environments extend this?

Reusable template blocks (copy‑paste)

Observation:

• Context:
• Observation:
• Quote:

Learning analysis (EYLF):

• Outcome 1 (Identity):
• Outcome 2 (Community):
• Outcome 3 (Wellbeing):
• Outcome 4 (Learning):
• Outcome 5 (Communication):

Next steps:

• Step 1:
• Step 2:
• Step 3:

Five mini‑story examples

1. Blocks and balance (Outcomes 4,5): Tested base sizes, used terms like "stable"; planned with a peer. Next: photo prompts, simple challenges.

1. Turn‑taking at the water trough (2,3): Waited, negotiated, poured together. Next: larger funnels, shared goal like filling a bucket.

1. Dramatic play café (1,2,5): Took roles, greeted customers, wrote marks. Next: menus with symbols, play money, job cards.

1. Painting gradients (3,4): Experimented with pressure/dilution; expressed ideas. Next: new tools (rollers), vocabulary (shade, blend).

1. Playdough shapes (4,5): Named 2D/3D shapes; planned to make "cakes". Next: challenge cards; invite counting, halves/quarters talk.

Assessment notes and next steps

• Link stories to planning cycles; tag outcomes/children consistently.
• Balance breadth (all outcomes over time) and depth (child interests).
• Invite family voice; reflect on equity, inclusion, and cultural lenses.

Outcome mapping prompts (by outcome)

• Outcome 1 Identity: agency, confidence, belonging, resilience, decision‑making
• Outcome 2 Community: inclusion, fairness, cooperation, respect for diversity
• Outcome 3 Wellbeing: safety, self‑care, emotional regulation, persistence
• Outcome 4 Learning: inquiry, problem‑solving, transferring knowledge, creativity
• Outcome 5 Communication: language, symbols, multimodal expression, audience awareness

Evidence phrases you can reuse

• “Tested two strategies and compared results…”
• “Invited a peer with an open prompt…”
• “Used new vocabulary in context…”
• “Adjusted plan after noticing…”

Deeper dive: what strong evidence looks like

Outcome 1 Identity

• Agency and confidence: “Chose a harder task and persisted after a setback.”
• Belonging and relationships: “Invited a peer and shared tools fairly.”

Outcome 2 Community

• Inclusion: “Adapted the game so a younger child could join.”
• Contribution: “Assigned roles and checked everyone had a turn.”

Outcome 3 Wellbeing

• Safety: “Adjusted stance on a slope and signalled when water would flow.”
• Self‑regulation: “Took deep breaths and asked for help calmly.”

Outcome 4 Learning

• Inquiry: “Compared two strategies and chose the more efficient.”
• Transfer: “Applied yesterday’s idea to a new material.”

Outcome 5 Communication

• Language: “Used new vocabulary accurately in context.”
• Multimodal: “Combined drawing, symbols, and talk to explain a plan.”

Common pitfalls and how to fix them

• Listing activities instead of learning → Name the concept and show evidence.
• Over‑linking outcomes → Pick the best 2–3 and justify them.
• Missing next steps → Add one experience, one environment tweak, one prompt.

FAQs

• How many outcomes per story? Usually 2–3, evidenced.
• How long should entries be? 1–3 paragraphs with explicit analysis.
• Do I need quotes? One authentic quote strengthens evidence and family voice.

Links: Examples · Templates · How to Write · ChatGPT Learning Stories (EYLF)