Understanding the world: Be kind to bees
This is the second article in an occasional series looking at endangered animals and includes information and activities to enable young children and their families to be more aware of how to help bees.
Understanding the world
Understanding the world: Life cycles – Metamorphosis Magic
The life cycle changes that many creatures pass through seem little short of magical, and are fascinating for young children to explore.
Understanding the world: Healthy fun with microgreens
Through discovering the magic of microgreens, this article explores opportunities for learning about seeds, growing plants, and enjoying homegrown, healthy food.
Understanding the world: Signs of winter
Winter is upon us! Learning about the seasons is an important part of Understanding the World, and this ‘snowflake challenge’ activity offers a fun introduction to the signs of winter. Use the activity flexibly throughout the season, and repeat popular challenges.
Well versed
Rhyme is a fantastic medium for inspiring children to engage with narrative and develop vocabulary. Get into your own poetry rhythm by checking out these activities.
Understanding the world: Time to grow
When spring is sprung, it's time to introduce children to some elementary gardening skills. Learning about life cycles and taking responsibility for growing plants will give them an enormous sense of achievement.
Understanding the world: Natural symmetry
When a child is excited by something they identify in the natural world, there is a valuable opportunity to seize the moment and extend learning. Jenni Clarke explains how the adult can prompt and support without taking over.
Understanding the world: To the lighthouse
Mr Grinling is probably one of the most famous lighthouse keepers in the world, brought to life by Ronda Armitage in her series of classic children's books. There are lots of ways to use them to explore peoples' occupations and life-styles.
Literacy: Cold calling
Where Snowflakes Fall by Claire Freedman is a picture book that explores the beauty of the polar regions and is perfect for inspiring children to create role-play scenarios that will lay the foundation for early writing.
Understanding the world: In character
Use the January birthday of author A A Milne to explore the world of Winnie the Pooh, Piglet, Tigger and more by going on a walk and identifying hidey-holes where these characters could find a home.
Anti-Bullying week: Celebrate what makes each one of us unique
The theme for this year's Anti-Bullying Week in the UK is 'United against Bullying'. Check out Judith Harries' activity ideas to tie in and watch the video of the charity single put together by CBeebies' star Andy Day.
Understanding the world: Swirl by swirl
Give children time to explore patterns in nature and develop their ability to appreciate and identify shape and design. Learning is maximised when it is led by children as part of in the moment planning, explains Jenni Clarke.
Understanding the world: Meet the yoga people
Sports and exercise around the world makes a great theme to explore as it encompasses culture, inclusion, thinking about your likes as an individual and how these may differ from others after. Try these activities to get children talking!
Understanding the world: Feeling crushed
Extend children's understanding of recycling by involving them in making paper and experiencing the changes in its properties when it becomes pulped and mushy.
While we can’t hug…
Following on from his bestselling book The Hug, author Eoin McLaughlin has written this genuine book for our time, talking to young children about social distancing. Find out more about how to share this book!
Four simple ways to inspire STEM learning from a young age
Find out how to invent and create quests to trigger children’s interest in STEM subjects.
Understanding the world: Going walkabout
Taking children out on nearby walks and providing ways for them to record and explore their observations is a great way to support learning and conversation skills.
Communication and language: Roma adventure
The Lost Homework is a great book to link creative activities such as junk modelling and cooking while helping children to understand a chain of events.
Communication and language: Stay cool
Hilary White outlines how to discuss three key aspects of sun safety – the difference between sunshine and shade, the effects of the sun and sun protection strategies.
Understanding the world: Action stations!
In the moment planning brings a spontaneity and excitement to exploring job roles. Jenni Clarke sketches scenrios to demonstrate how learning takes off.
Celebrate National Pet Month and help children to understand the importance of responsible pet ownership
National Pet Month is all about raising awareness of responsible pet ownership through education, celebrating the benefits of pets and encouraging fundraising for the nation’s needy pets.
Things to do on a rainy afternoon
A rainy day in doors doesn’t have to mean a day stuck in front of the TV or computer. There are lots of activities to keep children occupied – and still learning. Painting, baking, and other arts and crafts are just some of the great ways to boost their creativity. Here are some activities that are perfect for wet weather days.
Practical Pre-School Books: Ideas to use at home
Find out how the team at Practical Pre-School Books, part of the same publisher as EYE, is staying close to all its practitioners, parents and carers at this challenging time.
Understanding the world: Well watered
Now is the perfect time to talk to children about how plants grow from seeds and the conditions they need to flourish. Let them loose outdoors with a watering can to discover the joys of caring for their very own garden.