What Are The 4 British Values In Early Years: A Gentle Guide For Little Learners

In the early years, children are like sponges — they soak up everything, good and bad. That's why it's so important to be intentional about what we teach them, both directly and indirectly. Little ones are learning quickly, so it's the perfect time to teach them important values, which will help them become their best selves.

These values, often called "fundamental British values," are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of those with different faiths and beliefs. They are, you know, a statutory requirement of the EYFS curriculum. Childminders and other early years providers are required to promote these four essential British values as part of their everyday practice and care.

These four fundamental British values, it's almost like a guiding light, must be supported and developed across their practice to meet the statutory requirements in the prevent duty guidance. All four values fit somewhere within categories like personal, social, and physical development, as well as understanding the world. They are, as a matter of fact, not unique to Britain but are universal aspirations of equality. They are, as such, fundamental to helping all children become compassionate, considerate adults who form part of a fair and kind society.

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Table of Contents

• What Are the 4 British Values in Early Years?
  • Democracy
  • The Rule of Law
  • Individual Liberty
  • Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs
• Why Are These Values So Important for Young Children?
• How Do We Teach These Values in Early Years?
  • Everyday Opportunities
  • Learning Through Play
• Are These Values Only for Britain?

What Are the 4 British Values in Early Years?

There are four British values childcare providers must promote, and they are pretty straightforward, you know. They are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance. In early years, we are mindful of how we teach these British values; it is very much age-appropriate. These values are defined as the guiding principles that should shape practice in the early years, helping every child grow.

Since September 2014, schools and early years settings in England have been working with these ideas. Experts and settings show how the values are being taught, both in theory and in practice. These values, you see, help children to positively contribute to their local and national communities. Our day nursery, for example, believes that the best start in life for your child incorporates these core four values that will shape their behaviours as they develop.

Democracy

Democracy, for little ones, is all about having a voice and making choices, which is very important. It's about letting children express their preferences and understanding that their opinions matter. This can be as simple as choosing which story to read or which game to play during group time, so it's quite practical.

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It helps children understand that decisions can be made together, and that everyone's input has some value. For instance, if children vote on an activity, they learn that the most popular choice wins, but also that other ideas were considered. This lays a firm foundation for them to grow into well-rounded adults, you know, who appreciate fairness.

This early experience with choices helps children feel valued and heard, which is a big part of feeling secure and happy. They learn, basically, that their thoughts and feelings are important. This, in turn, helps them to participate in group activities and feel like a true part of things.

The Rule of Law

The rule of law, for young children, means understanding that rules are there to keep everyone safe and happy, which is a good thing. It's about learning that boundaries exist and that following them helps create a calm and predictable environment. This could be about sharing toys or taking turns, simple things like that.

It teaches children about right and wrong, and that actions have consequences, which is, honestly, a vital lesson. When a child understands why a rule is in place, they are more likely to accept it and follow it. For example, if we explain that we walk inside to keep everyone safe from bumps, they get it.

This value helps children develop a sense of personal responsibility and respect for shared agreements. They learn, in a way, that living together means respecting some common understandings. This prepares them for a life in modern Britain, where rules help everyone live together peacefully.

Individual Liberty

Individual liberty is about giving children the freedom to make choices within safe boundaries, and it's quite empowering. It means supporting children to develop their own ideas and express themselves, knowing they are safe to do so. This could be choosing what to draw or how to build with blocks, so it's very personal.

It's about encouraging children to be independent and to feel confident in their own abilities and decisions. This helps them to develop a sense of self-worth and to understand their own unique qualities. For example, letting a child choose their coat or what they want to play with during free time helps them feel in charge of themselves, you know.

This value also includes teaching children about their personal rights and responsibilities, like the right to say "no" to something they don't want to do, within reason. It helps them to understand that they have control over their own bodies and minds, which is, essentially, a big step towards becoming a confident person.

Mutual Respect and Tolerance of Those with Different Faiths and Beliefs

Mutual respect and tolerance means teaching children to be kind and considerate towards everyone, even if they are different, which is very important for a fair society. It's about celebrating diversity and helping children understand that people have different backgrounds, families, and beliefs. This could involve learning about different festivals or trying foods from various cultures, just little tastes of the world.

This value encourages children to listen to others, share, and understand that everyone deserves to be treated with kindness, regardless of their differences. It helps them to see that differences are interesting and valuable, not something to be afraid of. For instance, talking about how different families celebrate holidays can open up new ideas for children, you know.

It also involves challenging stereotypes and promoting an inclusive environment where everyone feels welcome and valued. This helps children to develop empathy and to appreciate the richness that diversity brings to our communities. These values, basically, underpin what it is to be a citizen in a modern and diverse Britain, promoting moral and cultural understanding.

Why Are These Values So Important for Young Children?

Teaching these British values from a young age builds a firm foundation for children to grow into well-rounded adults. They help develop an accepting, tolerant society, which is, honestly, something we all want. Children are like sponges, soaking up everything, and these values give them a good framework.

These values help children to positively contribute to their local and national communities, as a matter of fact. They learn how to be respectful and accepting of everybody's life choices. This prepares them for a life in modern Britain, where getting along with different people is key.

The values also support children's social, moral, and spiritual development, which is quite comprehensive. They are, in a way, fundamental to helping all children become compassionate, considerate adults who form part of a fair and kind society. It's about giving them the tools to be good people, you know, in a big, diverse world.

How Do We Teach These Values in Early Years?

In early years, we are very mindful of how we teach these British values, making sure it is age-appropriate and feels natural. The fundamental British values of democracy, rule of law, individual liberty, mutual respect, and tolerance for those with different faiths and beliefs are already implicitly embedded in the 2014 EYFS framework. This means they are part of what we do every day, basically.

Our guide, for example, breaks down each of the British values and gives practical examples of the ways in which practitioners can promote each British value in their early years settings. It's about weaving these ideas into the fun and learning, rather than making them separate lessons. We aim to continue to highlight the importance of fundamental British values (FBVs) in all we do.

Everyday Opportunities

Every day offers chances to teach these values, so it's not a special event. For democracy, children can vote on snack choices or what song to sing. For the rule of law, we talk about why we have rules, like "we walk inside" to keep everyone safe. It's about simple, clear explanations, you know.

Individual liberty can be seen when children choose their own play activities or express their likes and dislikes. Mutual respect comes into play when we talk about different family traditions or celebrate diverse cultures. These little moments, you see, add up to big lessons.

It's about making these values a natural part of daily interactions, rather than a formal lesson. Children learn best by doing and experiencing, so we create opportunities for them to practice these ideas. This helps them understand that these values are just how we live together, more or less.

Learning Through Play

Play is a very powerful tool for teaching these values, as a matter of fact. When children engage in imaginative play, they often practice making choices (democracy), following rules (rule of law), expressing their own ideas (individual liberty), and cooperating with others (mutual respect). It's all very organic.

For instance, during a pretend tea party, children might decide who pours the tea (democracy), agree on how to share the pretend cakes (rule of law), choose their own role (individual liberty), and respect each other's ideas for the game (mutual respect). This kind of play, you know, makes learning feel easy and fun.

Through play, children learn to negotiate, compromise, and appreciate different perspectives without even realizing they are learning big life lessons. It's a natural way for them to develop social skills and a sense of community. This approach, you see, helps them to positively contribute to the local and national multi-cultural society.

Are These Values Only for Britain?

It's a common question, but these values are not unique to Britain, which is quite interesting. They are universal aspirations of equality and are, as such, fundamental to helping all children become compassionate, considerate adults. They are, basically, good human values that apply everywhere.

These values, you know, are about helping children grow into good citizens, no matter where they live. They promote moral and cultural development that is beneficial for any society. The ideas of fairness, freedom, respect, and community are, in a way, shared by people all over the world.

The fundamental British values, first set out in the government's prevent strategy, are democracy, the rule of law, individual liberty, and mutual respect and tolerance of different faiths and beliefs. While they have a specific name here, their essence is universal. They help prepare children for a life in modern Britain, but also for life anywhere, you know, where people live together.

Learn more about early childhood development on our site, and link to this page for more about the EYFS curriculum.