So far, in our Supporting Development at Home series, we’ve explored the three prime areas of learning outlined in the EYFS: Personal, Social, and Emotional Development, Communication and Language, and Physical Development. We've also covered Literacy and Maths, two of the four specific areas of learning.
Today, we’re continuing our journey by exploring Understanding the World!
Understanding the World is a key part of the EYFS framework, helping children develop an awareness of people, places, technology, and the natural world around them.
This area of learning encourages curiosity, problem-solving, and an appreciation for diversity and the environment!
Let's jump straight into our guide to supporting development at home: understanding the world.
How We Support Understanding the World in Nursery
At nursery, children explore understanding the world through hands-on experiences, outings, role play, and storytelling.
We encourage little ones to investigate nature, engage in science experiments, talk about their families and communities, and use technology in meaningful ways.
Our child-led approach allows them to ask questions, make connections, and develop a sense of wonder about the world around them.
Activities might include:
Nature walks to observe the changing seasons,
Outings within the local community,
Sensory trays filled with natural materials like leaves, sand, or ice,
Role-playing different jobs and cultures through imaginative play,
Hands-on science experiments, such as watching plants grow or mixing colours,
Learning about different celebrations and traditions to encourage cultural awareness.
How You Can Support Understanding the World at Home
Here are some activities you can try at home:
Exploring Nature
Take a nature walk in the park and collect leaves, stones, or flowers. Talk about their colours, textures, and shapes. Use these in sensory trays or natural arts & crafts at home.
Set up a small bug hunt in your garden or local green space—observe worms, ladybirds, or butterflies and discuss their movements. You can click here for a printable checklist.
Create a mini weather station by tracking the daily weather or moon phases and discussing changes in the seasons.
Learning About People and Communities
Look at family photos together and talk about different generations, where they lived, and how things have changed.
Visit the local community (e.g. shops, bakeries etc.), local landmarks or museums to introduce children to history and their local geography in an engaging way.
Explore different cultures by reading books about traditions from around the world or trying foods from different cuisines – you can also celebrate special days and explore cultures together.
Hands-on Science and Discovery
Set up a simple sink-or-float experiment using household objects in a bowl of water.
Observe how plants grow by planting seeds in cotton wool or soil and tracking their progress.
Make ice cubes with small toys frozen inside and let your child discover ways to melt them.
Click here for inspiration!
Understanding Technology
Let your child help with simple technology, such as using a torch in the dark or pressing buttons on a washing machine.
Explore cause-and-effect by using wind-up toys or water wheels during bath time.
Take photos together on your phone or camera and print to make a development scrapbook.
If you’re concerned
If you have any concerns about your little one’s development, please speak to your key person, nursery manager or health visitor.
They will be able to discuss any worries you have and, if necessary, come up with a plan to help your little one’s development both in and outside of the nursery.
Final Thoughts
By encouraging curiosity and exploration, you’re helping your child develop an understanding of the world that will support their learning and development.
Small, everyday experiences can make a big difference in helping children build connections and develop a lifelong love for discovering new things.
Stay tuned for the next post in our Supporting Development at Home series, where we’ll explore Expressive Arts and Design!
Happy exploring!
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