Understanding the World

We guide our children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the natural world around us both in the present and in the past.

The children are encouraged and supported in developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. They are given opportunities to use a range of tools safely; encounter creatures, plants, people and objects in their natural environments and in real life situations; undertake practical experiments and work with a range of materials. This area has 3 overarching focuses: Past and Present, People, Culture and Communities, and The Natural World. Learning within these areas links to Science, Geography, History, RE and ICT.

Past and Present

Children have the opportunity to talk about past and present events in their own lives and in the lives of family members (History). They are taught to recognise that children don’t always enjoy the same things, and are sensitive to this. They are taught to recognise similarities and differences between themselves and others, and among families, communities and traditions (RE).

People, Culture and Communities

In Geography, children begin to develop skills, knowledge and understanding with particular reference to their homes, school and immediate local environment. Children are taught to talk about the features of their own immediate environment and how environments vary from one another.

Children explore similarities and differences between different religious and cultural communities in this country (RE). They are encouraged to talk about their own experiences and to appreciate other ideas. Children in EYFS, participate in a variety of celebrations throughout the year.

The Natural World

Children learn about similarities and differences in relation to places, objects, materials and living things.

In science, children are involved in many practical experiences particularly encouraging use of the senses to develop the investigative scientific skills of observing, predicting and communicating findings. Early recording is done by the children: drawing pictures, making notes and taking photos.

They are encouraged to make observations of animals and plants and explain why things occur and talk about changes.

Whilst no longer explicitly included in the Early Years Framework, children are taught to recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as home and schools. They are encouraged to select and use technology for a particular purpose and children are made aware of the importance of e-safety.