Leadership Lessons

Early leadership experience builds confidence and teaches that leadership is about serving others, not just being in charge.

• Framework: EYFS
• Unit: EYFS Champions of Character
• Learning area: Socio-Emotional
• Level: EYFS Reception

Objectives

• Identify qualities of good leaders
• Practise leadership in small group settings
• Support others' leadership

Materials

• Leader quality cards
• Group challenge materials
• Leadership reflection journals

Instructions

Discuss what makes a good leader: helps others, listens to everyone's ideas, makes fair decisions, takes responsibility, shares credit. Practise leadership through rotating group leader roles during activities. Reflect on leadership experiences: what was challenging, what went well, how did it feel. Also discuss how to support someone else's leadership—following well is also a skill.

Educator tip

Ensure leadership opportunities are distributed equitably—don't let naturally dominant children monopolize leadership roles.

Assessment

Assess against Early Learning Goals (ELGs). Document evidence of 'expected' or 'exceeding' descriptors. Note: independent application of skills, ability to explain reasoning, and capacity to build on prior learning. Observe leadership behaviours, quality of leadership reflection, and ability to follow and support others' leadership.

More from EYFS Champions of Character

• Trustworthiness Test
• Resilience Stories
• Active Listening Labs
• Compassion in Action
• Environmental Stewardship
• Positive Self-Talk Practice
• Cooperative Game Design
• Boundary Setting