Understanding the World in Reception

Reception is a year of curiosity, discovery and wonder. Children are naturally interested in the people around them, the places they visit and the changes they notice in the world.

Through stories, conversations, first-hand experiences, visits, visitors and careful observation, children begin to understand how the world works. They ask questions, investigate ideas and learn to use new knowledge and vocabulary when explaining what they have discovered.

Understanding the World is organised into three connected areas:

Past and Present
People, Culture and Communities
The Natural World

Our curriculum helps children understand their own experiences while gradually introducing them to people, places, events and environments beyond their everyday lives.

What Happens in Reception?

Children develop their knowledge through:

direct teaching;
high-quality stories and information books;
practical investigations;
outdoor exploration;
seasonal observations;
visits and visitors;
maps, photographs and objects;
conversations about family and community experiences;
comparisons between the past and present;
learning about different places and cultures; and
sustained observations of plants, animals and natural processes.

Adults introduce carefully selected knowledge and vocabulary. Enhancements within the learning environment then give children opportunities to revisit, investigate and apply what they have learned.

Children are encouraged to look closely, ask questions, make comparisons and explain their observations.

Past and Present

Developing an Understanding of the Past

Children begin by thinking about their own lives and experiences. They talk about themselves as babies, how they have grown and how their abilities have changed.

They learn that:

events happened before they were born;
people and places change over time;
memories, photographs, objects and stories can tell us about the past;
some things remain the same while others change; and
the lives of people in the past may have been different from their lives today.

Children develop their understanding through family stories, photographs, familiar objects, books and carefully chosen historical evidence.

Learning Across the Year

Children explore the past through experiences including:

discussing their personal history and how they have grown;
using Peepo! to notice details about everyday life in the past;
listening to memories and stories from members of the community;
comparing toys from the past with toys today;
exploring photographs and objects;
comparing Westbury in the past and present;
learning about Mae Jemison as a significant person;
investigating seaside holidays in the past; and
comparing past experiences with life today.

Children learn to use words and phrases such as:

past;
present;
before;
after;
long ago;
then;
now;
old;
new;
same;
different; and
change.

People, Culture and Communities

Understanding Ourselves and Others

Children begin by developing a secure sense of their own identity and belonging.

They talk about:

their families;
their homes;
people who are important to them;
the community in which they live;
family traditions;
celebrations;
similarities and differences; and
the roles people have within society.

We use stories, photographs, maps, information texts and first-hand experiences to introduce children to people, cultures and communities beyond their immediate experience.

Learning About Our Community

Children explore Westbury and the people who live and work within it.

They learn about:

the school community;
different community roles;
familiar buildings and landmarks;
routes and journeys;
simple maps;
how the local area has changed;
places that are important to different people; and
how communities work together.

A local walk gives children first-hand experience of the area. They learn to notice, describe and represent features using talk, drawings and simple maps.

Learning About Different Places

Children learn that the world contains many different countries, environments and communities.

During the year, they encounter contemporary life in India through:

maps and globes;
photographs;
stories;
information books;
discussion of homes and communities; and
comparison with their own experiences.

Children also compare Westbury with the seaside. They consider what is similar, what is different and how the physical environment influences what people see and do.

These comparisons help children develop knowledge without presenting another place or culture as unusual or defined only by its differences.

Beliefs, Celebrations and Special Places

Children learn about celebrations and why some places are special to different people.

Their experiences include:

talking about celebrations within their own families;
learning about celebrations observed by other people;
exploring Christmas and Easter;
visiting All Saints Church;
learning why churches are special to Christians; and
encountering mosques and synagogues through stories, images, information or visitors.

Children are encouraged to talk respectfully, listen to other people and recognise that families may have different traditions and beliefs.

The Natural World

Exploring and Investigating

Children explore the natural world through regular outdoor learning and first-hand observation.

They learn to:

look closely;
notice similarities and differences;
describe what they can see;
ask questions;
make simple predictions;
observe change over time;
use information books;
talk about possible explanations; and
care for living things and the environment.

Adults introduce appropriate scientific vocabulary and help children use it when discussing their observations.

Seasons and Weather

Children observe the environment throughout the year.

They notice:

the signs of autumn;
how autumn changes into winter;
winter weather, including ice, frost or snow when available;
early signs of spring;
new growth;
changes during summer; and
how plants, animals, weather and daylight vary across the seasons.

Revisiting the same environment enables children to notice and explain change over time.

Materials and Change

Children investigate the properties of everyday materials.

They explore:

how materials look and feel;
which materials are suitable for different purposes;
how materials can be joined;
how structures can be strengthened;
what happens when water freezes;
how ice melts; and
how some changes can be observed and described.

Children are encouraged to make predictions, test their ideas and talk about what happened.

Plants and Growth

Children plant seeds and care for growing plants.

They learn that plants need:

water;
light;
warmth;
suitable conditions; and
time to grow.

By observing plants over an extended period, children develop an understanding of growth, change and responsibility.

They learn to identify and describe some common plants and notice similarities and differences.

Animals and Their Environments

Children broaden their knowledge of animals, their needs and the environments in which they live.

They learn that animals need:

food;
water;
shelter;
suitable living conditions; and
appropriate care.

An animal encounter gives children opportunities to observe animals closely, ask questions and learn from first-hand experience.

Children use stories and information books to learn about animal features, habitats, eggs and life cycles.

Life Cycles

During the summer term, children observe real caterpillars as they develop into butterflies.

Sustained observation helps children understand that:

living things grow and change;
change happens over time;
different stages occur in a particular sequence; and
living things need appropriate care.

Children record, discuss and represent what they notice through talk, drawing and writing.

The Seaside and Marine Environment

Children compare the natural environment of Westbury with the seaside.

They explore:

features of the coast;
the sea and beach;
animals and plants found in marine environments;
similarities and differences between locations;
how people use seaside environments; and
how human actions can affect the natural world.

Through stories and first-hand experience, children consider how litter and plastic can harm marine life and what people can do to care for the environment.

A beach visit allows children to apply their knowledge through direct observation.

Learning About Significant People

Children encounter people whose lives and achievements help them understand the world.

They learn about Mae Jemison, including her work as a scientist, doctor and astronaut.

This helps children understand that:

people can have different roles and achievements;
curiosity and learning can lead to new opportunities;
determination and resilience help people meet challenges; and
individuals can contribute to knowledge and society.

Purposeful Use of Technology

Technology is used when it enriches learning and helps children discover something that cannot be experienced directly.

This may include using technology to:

look closely at photographs;
view maps and places;
find reliable information;
record observations;
revisit experiences; or
share learning.

Technology supports but does not replace first-hand exploration, practical experiences, outdoor learning and conversation.

Our Vision and Values

Understanding the World gives children many opportunities to live out our school values.

Children demonstrate respect by learning about different people, cultures, beliefs and environments.

They develop friendship and teamwork when investigating, discussing ideas and caring for living things together.

They show resilience when observations take time, investigations do not produce the expected result or they need to reconsider an idea.

They work towards excellence by looking closely, asking thoughtful questions and using increasingly precise vocabulary.

These experiences help children develop a sense of belonging within their school and community while becoming curious about the wider world.

How Understanding the World Develops Across the Year

Across Reception, children progress from:

talking about their immediate experiences towards developing knowledge of people, places and events beyond them;
recognising that they have grown towards understanding that change occurs over time;
talking about family memories towards using objects, photographs and stories as evidence about the past;
exploring the school environment towards describing routes and using simple maps;
noticing features of Westbury towards comparing it with a contrasting environment;
observing seasonal change towards explaining patterns they have noticed across the year;
exploring materials towards describing properties and investigating change;
noticing plants and animals towards explaining some of their needs and life cycles;
asking questions towards using observations and information to suggest answers; and
relying on adult explanations towards communicating their own increasingly detailed understanding.

Children develop at different rates. Experiences, vocabulary and support are adapted so every child can participate and build secure knowledge.

How Can Families Help at Home?

Talking About the Past

Share photographs of family members and previous events.
Talk about what your child was like as a baby.
Discuss how toys, clothes, homes or technology have changed.
Share memories from your own childhood.
Talk about the order in which events happened.
Use words such as before, after, then, now, past and present.

Exploring the Local Area

Walk around your local area and notice important features.
Talk about familiar routes.
Look at simple maps together.
Discuss the roles of people working in the community.
Visit local libraries, parks and places of interest.
Compare older photographs of the area with what can be seen today.

Learning About People and Communities

Talk about family traditions and celebrations.
Share stories that represent different families and communities.
Discuss similarities and differences positively and respectfully.
Look at maps or globes and talk about different places.
Talk about places that are special to your family or to other people.
Encourage your child to ask respectful questions.

Exploring Nature

Notice changes in the weather and seasons.
Look closely at plants, trees, insects and animals.
Grow a plant and help your child care for it.
Visit parks, gardens, woodlands or the seaside.
Collect and compare natural objects where appropriate.
Talk about what living things need.
Encourage your child to draw or photograph observations.
Discuss ways to care for the environment.

Investigating Together

Explore which objects float or sink.
Investigate freezing and melting.
Compare different materials.
Build structures and test how strong they are.
Ask your child what they think will happen before trying something.
Encourage them to describe what they noticed.
Value questions even when you do not immediately know the answer.

Our Understanding the World Progression Documents

The documents below provide more detail about the knowledge and skills taught throughout Reception.

Talk to Us

Please speak to your child’s class teacher if you would like more information about Understanding the World or ideas for exploring a particular interest at home.

By working together, we can encourage children to remain curious, ask thoughtful questions and care about the people, places and environments around them.