Reception – Geography

Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community. The frequency and range of children’s personal experiences increases their knowledge and sense of the world around them – from visiting parks, libraries and museums to meeting important members of society such as police officers, nurses and firefighters. In addition, listening to a broad selection of stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems will foster their understanding of our culturally, socially, technologically and ecologically diverse world. As well as building important knowledge, this extends their familiarity with words that support understanding across domains. Enriching and widening children’s vocabulary will support later reading comprehension.

ELG: People, Culture and Communities
Children at the expected level of development will:
– Describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation,
discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps;
– Know some similarities and differences between different religious and cultural
communities in this country, drawing on their experiences and what has been
read in class;
– Explain some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in
other countries, drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and –
when appropriate – maps.

The Natural World – Early Learning Goals

Children at the expected level of development will:
– Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing
pictures of animals and plants;
– Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around
them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what
has been read in class;
– Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world
around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter.