Gifted and Talented Programs

Phases of Development

The Western Australian Curriculum Framework features a kindergarten to year 12 approach, focusing on the ways that learning might progress over four overlapping phases of development.

The Framework's Scope of the Curriculum, while not intended to be prescriptive, gives some guidance about the typical sorts of curriculum experiences students might need at each phase to best achieve the outcomes.

• Early Childhood (typically kindergarten to year 3)

  see also the external link to the department's Early Childhood Education site.

• Middle Childhood (typically years 3 to 7)
• Early Adolescence (typically years 7 to 10)
• Late Adolescence/Early Adulthood (typically years 10 to 12)

It is important to note, especially in regards to gifted and talented students, that ' it is recognised that each student is developing and achieving in different ways, at different stages and at different rates.' (p. 29, 1998)