# EYLF Outcome 4: Children Are Confident and Involved Learners

> EYLF V2.0 Outcome 4 in plain words: curiosity, problem solving, play and STEM, with examples for babies, toddlers and preschoolers, and resources.

## EYLF Outcome 4: Confident and Involved Learners

Outcome 4 of the [Early Years Learning Framework V2.0](https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf) is about how children learn: being curious, sticking with something hard, testing ideas, and using what they already know in new places. It is where most science, maths, construction and investigation play is documented.

V2.0 added the idea of a **growth mindset** to this outcome, alongside the learning dispositions that were already there, such as curiosity, persistence, creativity and imagination.

Below are patterning, science and hands-on resources from Australian educators, the four sub-outcomes in plain words, what they look like at each age, and observation examples. For the full framework, see my [EYLF learning outcomes guide](/teacher-guides/eylf-learning-outcomes).

## Pattern Blocks and Patterning Resources

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## The Four Sub-Outcomes of Outcome 4

### 4.1 Children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions such as curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity

Children wonder, ask questions and want to find out. They keep going when something is difficult, and they start to see mistakes as part of learning.

### 4.2 Children develop a range of learning and thinking skills and processes such as problem solving, inquiry, experimentation, hypothesising, researching and investigating

Children try things to see what happens, make guesses and test them, sort and compare, and find more than one way to solve a problem.

### 4.3 Children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another

Children use an idea from one place somewhere else: counting the blocks after counting at group time, or using a ramp they built yesterday to solve a new problem today.

### 4.4 Children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials

Children know where to go for help or materials. They ask a friend, go to the shelf for tape, look in a book, or use natural materials like sticks, shells and water in their play.

> **Note:** The numbers 4.1 to 4.4 are a common shorthand in services. The EYLF lists the sub-outcomes without numbers.

ACECQA also publishes an [EYLF V2.0 learning outcomes information sheet](https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-07/InformationSheet_EYLF-Outcomes%20Information%20Sheets.pdf) with reflective questions and practice examples.

## Insects and Minibeasts

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## What Outcome 4 Looks Like at Different Ages

### Babies

- Mouthing, shaking and banging objects to find out what they do
- Dropping a toy again and again to watch it fall
- Looking for a toy hidden under a cloth
- Exploring a treasure basket of natural and household objects

### Toddlers

- Filling and tipping containers in the sandpit and water trough
- Fitting shapes into a sorter by trial and error
- Stacking blocks, knocking them down, and building again
- Bringing an educator to see something they found

### Preschoolers

- Asking "why" and "what if" and suggesting answers
- Building ramps, bridges and towers and changing the design when it fails
- Predicting whether things will sink or float, then testing
- Counting, sorting and making patterns with loose parts
- Planning a project with a friend over several days

### Experiences that support Outcome 4

- Loose parts, open-ended construction and a tinkering table
- Sink and float, colour mixing, magnets and simple science experiments
- Investigation tables with magnifying glasses and natural objects
- Number and pattern play (see [number sense activities](/teacher-guides/number-sense-activities) and [shapes activities](/teacher-guides/shapes-activities-2d-3d))
- Long projects that follow the children's own questions
- Child-led, guided and educator-led play (see [play-based learning activities](/teacher-guides/play-based-learning-activities))

## Loose Parts Play Resources

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## Observation Examples for Outcome 4

These are made-up examples to show the shape: what the child did, what it shows, which sub-outcome, and what comes next.

**Baby (9 months):** *Oscar pulled the scarf off the rattle three times, laughing each time it appeared. Oscar is learning that objects still exist when hidden and is repeating an action to test it (Outcome 4, curiosity and exploring). Next: offer a posting box and a peekaboo book.*

**Toddler (2):** *Matilda tried to push the triangle into the square hole, turned it, tried the round hole, then found the triangle hole. She clapped. Matilda used trial and error and kept going until it worked (Outcome 4, problem solving and persistence). Next: rotate in a harder shape puzzle.*

**Preschooler (4):** *Ethan predicted the cork and the spoon would both float. When the spoon sank he said "it's heavy, it's metal" and tested the key and coin too. Ethan made a prediction, tested it and changed his idea (Outcome 4, hypothesising and experimenting). Next: make a sink and float chart with the group.*

For a longer narrative format, see my [learning story examples and templates](/teacher-guides/learning-story-examples-and-templates).

### The other EYLF outcomes

- [Outcome 1: Children have a strong sense of identity](/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-1-identity)
- [Outcome 2: Children are connected with and contribute to their world](/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-2-connected-world)
- [Outcome 3: Children have a strong sense of wellbeing](/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-3-wellbeing)
- [Outcome 5: Children are effective communicators](/teacher-guides/eylf-outcome-5-communicators)

## Frequently Asked Questions

### What is EYLF Outcome 4?

Outcome 4 of the [EYLF V2.0](https://www.acecqa.gov.au/sites/default/files/2023-01/EYLF-2022-V2.0.pdf) is Children are confident and involved learners. It covers learning dispositions and a growth mindset, thinking skills like problem solving and investigating, using learning in new contexts, and finding resources for their own learning.

### What are the sub-outcomes of EYLF Outcome 4?

There are four: children develop a growth mindset and learning dispositions; children develop a range of learning and thinking skills and processes; children transfer and adapt what they have learned from one context to another; and children resource their own learning through connecting with people, place, technologies and natural and processed materials.

### What are learning dispositions in the EYLF?

Learning dispositions are habits of mind that help children learn. The EYLF lists curiosity, cooperation, confidence, creativity, commitment, enthusiasm, persistence, imagination and reflexivity. V2.0 adds a growth mindset, the belief that ability grows with effort.

### Where do maths and science fit in the EYLF?

Investigating, predicting and problem solving sit mainly in Outcome 4. Number, pattern and symbols also appear in Outcome 5, under understanding how symbols and pattern systems work. One experience can be linked to both.

### What activities support EYLF Outcome 4?

Loose parts, construction, sink and float, colour mixing, magnets, investigation tables, sorting and pattern play, and long projects that follow the questions of the children. [Browse STEM resources here](/s?keywords=stem&pub_yearLevels=has_any%3AearlyChildhood).

### Can I find free Outcome 4 resources on TeachBuySell?

Yes. [Browse free science and STEM resources here](/s?keywords=science&price=0%2C0), or use the price filter on any search.

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