Learning From Home - Knowledge and Understanding
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Learning from Home |
Knowledge and Understanding
Knowledge and Understanding is all about developing
your child’s awareness of the world around them. It is this knowledge that will
help you child with their understanding of Science and Humanities later
in their school life. Like all subject areas at this stage, a practical and fun
approach will bring the best results. I hope I will explain how to cover these areas in a lively and interesting way that will
inspire your child to become fascinated in the wonderful world around them.
History
The root of the word history is ‘his story’ and this
is what history at this early stage should be about. Your child needs to learn
to reflect on their own lives and those of their close family. The key concepts
to develop at this stage are an understanding of the terms past, present,
future and research. To understand these terms they have to relate them
to their own lives or those of their family and this is best done initially
through a pictorial time line.
What is a pictorial time line?
To create a pictorial time line you need a photograph
of your child as a new born, a photograph of your child as a toddler, one from
the present time and a blank piece of paper and a pencil. All you and your
child need to do now is put them in order from youngest to present day. While
doing this, explain to your child that the first 2 pictures are in the past
(things that have already happened) and that the 3rd picture is
them, right now (the present). Now ask them (or you can) to draw a
picture of what they think they will look like when they are a ‘grown up’ and
put it after the present day photograph. You will need to explain that
something that has not happened yet is known as the future. Now your
child can relate past, present and future to their lives, which is a great
start.
Once your child understands how a a pictorial time
line works, they can create one for their own family, such as; grandma, mum and
them. A fun activity to help your child understand what research (to
decide on a question and then find out the answer) means is to put a picture of
grandma/granddad or aunt/uncle in the middle of a big piece of paper. Then ask
your child what they would like to find out about this person; you will need to
write the questions down for them. Young children will often ask simple
questions such as, how old are they, what do they like to eat or what is their
favourite toy, but these are all great questions. At this point, ask your child, how they could find out the answers, hopefully they will suggest calling or virtual visiting the person. Then let your child ask their questions while you
write down the answers or you could record the answers using a microphone. Help
your child to realise that history is about finding things out about our own
and other peoples past by asking and answering questions.
Science
Young children often come into contact with two
different Scientific areas; 'Natural Science', through the world around then
and 'Changing States', through cookery or freezing. As children are naturally curious
they love science, especially using all their senses to explore the world
around them. I hope by giving you some enjoyable scientific activities you will
discover how easy it is to develop your child's scientific nature.
Experimentation
Natural Science
Growing Seeds
Growing seeds is a great way for your child to learn
about nature. If they remember to water their seeds they will see them
flourish, if they don't they will learn that plants need water to survive. Try
putting one lot of seeds in the fridge and another in a dark cupboard, can they
guess what will happen to them and why?
How about growing Butterflies from Caterpillar Larvae it is easy and great fun and you can buy kits on Amazon from £20
Nature Walk and Boxes
As the season's change take a walk with your child
around your garden or local park. What changes can you see, such as new buds
in Spring or falling leaves in Autumn? Take an old shoe box with you and help
your child collect objects to match the season. Your child will enjoy doing
this and at a later date you can take the box out and enjoy talking about it.
When they get home, they can add to their special box, maybe they can put a
packet of seeds in the Spring box or a pair of gloves in the winter box.
Remember the important detail is to encourage your child to ask and answer
questions about what they see and feel.
Bark and Leaf Rubbing
Children enjoy the
feel of different textures. Chunky crayons and paper provide
a great way of recording these, through leaf or bark rubbing. To do this
you place a piece of paper on top of the leaf or bark and with the side of the
crayon you rub gently on top, until as
if by magic a pattern appears.
Looking at fruit
Buying a big magnifying glass is a great scientific
investment as children are fascinated by looking at things up close. Cutting up
a selection of fruit and examining it under the magnifying glass is a good
rainy day activity. Kiwi's are particularly interesting as their skin looks
like a wild forest up close and the flesh and pips are really bright.
Changing States
Cookery is exciting but also a great scientific
experiment. Simple chocolate 'Rice Crispy' cakes are a wonderful way of
teaching about the changing states of materials. First the chocolate is a solid,
let your child feel that it is hard and does not move. At this point ask your
child what will happen if you heat the chocolate; now you are teaching them to predict
Once the chocolate is melted, show your child how is moves around the bowl,
explain that this because it is now a liquid. Can your child predict
what will happen to the chocolate as it cools? When they have made and chilled
their cakes find out if they realise the chocolate has returned to its solid
state. Obviously the final test is the best, as it is the taste test!
Other fascinating 'changing states investigations' are
cake baking, jelly making and 'Ice Pop' making. Turning cookery into Science is
fun and very easy.
There are some great links and some child friendly recipes on my Facebook Page Happy Lessons@happylesson17
Geography - Countries and Cultures
The most effective way to introduce Geography to young
children is to focus on the wider meaning of the word. Geography is not
just about where a country is in the world, it focuses on the people of these places and
customs of that country. By helping your child develop an interest in the food,
clothes and cultures of the world around them, you will provide a foundation for
their future study of 'Humanities'.
Young children love to receive communications from other people and they are a great starting point for a discussion or activity, so why not ask friends and
family from around the country/world to send a simple message to your child from their part of the world, or even better a photograph of a special event such as a wedding, baby naming or special festival. Talk to your child about what they can see - the clothes people are wearing, the food they are eating, the buildings and the landscape. Ask your child what is different and what is similar to their life? Even just listening to some music from a different country
or trying to learn to say hello and goodbye in a different languages will help
give your child a feel for other cultures. At this stage you are not
trying to get an in depth knowledge but rather develop awareness of differences and similarities which teaches them a vital skill to compare and contrast by dipping
into a variety of cultures and landscapes.
Also I always love Dora the Explorer - Have fun!
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