Aistear: the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework presents children’s learning and development using four themes.
These are:

• Well-Being 
• Identity and Belonging 
• Communicating 
  
• Exploring and Thinking 

Aistear is based on 12 principles of early learning and development. 
These are presented into three groups:

1. The first group concerns children and their lives in early childhood.  [the child’s uniqueness, equality and diversity, children as citizens]
2. The second group concerns children’s connections with others. [relationships, parents, family and community, the adult’s role)
3. The third group concerns how children learn and develop. [holistic learning and development, active learning, play and hands-on experience, relevant and meaningful experiences, communication and language, the learning environment]