**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with International Polar Bear Day. For official information, resources, and to learn more about polar bear conservation, please visit the Polar Bears International website: www.polarbearsinternational.org.
Understanding International Polar Bear Day in EYFS & KS1
Let's learn about magnificent polar bears and their icy homes! š»āāļøš§ International Polar Bear Day is an annual event, celebrated globally on February 27th. It is organised by Polar Bears International (PBI), a dedicated non-profit conservation organisation working tirelessly for the worldwide conservation of polar bears and their vital sea ice habitat. The main goal of this day is to raise awareness about the significant challenges polar bears face due to climate change and the ongoing loss of their Arctic home. It also encourages people of all ages to take action to reduce their carbon footprint, thereby helping to protect this iconic and vulnerable species.
For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a fascinating and crucial theme for exploring animals, habitats, climate change (in an age-appropriate way), conservation, and understanding the world. It's about introducing children to a unique and majestic animal, understanding its environment, and learning why it's so important to protect both the polar bear and its icy home. This day offers wonderful planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about wildlife conservation and environmental responsibility both exciting and essential.
Why Is Teaching About Polar Bears & Their Environment Important for Young Children?
Integrating lessons about polar bears and their Arctic environment into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) develops environmental awareness, promoting empathy for wildlife, and introducing concepts of conservation.
Understanding Habitats: Introduces children to a unique and extreme environment (the Arctic) and the animals adapted to live there.
Biodiversity Awareness: Highlights a specific, iconic species and its role within its ecosystem.
Environmental Awareness (Age-Appropriate): Provides a gentle introduction to concepts like climate change and habitat loss by focusing on how it affects a beloved animal.
Empathy & Conservation: Fosters a sense of care and responsibility towards animals and their natural world, encouraging children to think about how they can help.
Observation & Inquiry: Encourages curiosity about animal adaptations, behaviours, and needs.
Science & Geography: Connects to early science concepts (animals, environments) and geography (poles, cold climates).
Engaging Polar Bear Activities for International Polar Bear Day (0-7 Year Olds)
Dive into the fascinating world of polar bears and the Arctic with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on learning about polar bears, their habitat, and why they need our help! Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by our dedicated 'Polar Animals' resources.
Here's some inspiration for celebrating polar bears in your setting: (Please use your own discretion and knowledge of your children to ensure appropriateness of each activity and safety concerning any materials given and activity undertaken.)
Introduce Polar Bears: Begin by displaying our 'International Polar Bear Day Posters'. Use 'Polar Animals - Display Banner' to create an engaging Arctic environment in your classroom.
All About Polar Bears: Learn specific facts about polar bears using 'Polar Bear Body Parts - Poster & Writing Sheets'. Discuss their fur, paws, and how they stay warm.
Polar Bear Homes: Explore what a polar bear den looks like and why it's important. Use 'Inside A Polar Bear Den' to show examples, and then let children 'Design A Polar Bear Den'.
Polar Animal Creativity:
Colouring: Provide 'Polar Animals - Cartoon Polar Animal Colouring Sheets'.
Masks: Encourage imaginative play with 'Polar Animals - Polar Animal Masks - Colouring' and 'Polar Animals - Polar Animal Masks'.
Playdough/Loose Parts: Use 'Polar Bear Multimats - Playdough, Loose Parts, Art & Craft' for open-ended creative exploration.
Polar Animal Movement: Get active with 'Polar Animals - Activity Movement Challenge Cards'. Can they waddle like a penguin or stomp like a polar bear?
Polar Animal Games & Puzzles: Play 'Polar Animals - Dice Game' for maths fun. Piece together 'Polar Animals - 4-Piece Puzzles (Cartoon)'.
Polar Animal Literacy: Use 'Polar Animals - Alphabet Cards' for letter recognition and early phonics.
Conservation Talk (Age-Appropriate): Briefly discuss why polar bears need our help ā their home (the ice) is melting. Focus on simple actions children can understand, like saving energy (e.g., turning off lights). Keep it positive and action-oriented.
Explore More: Please visit our āPolar Animalsā page to browse our entire collection of educational materials on this theme!
These activities offer great inspiration for making International Polar Bear Day a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering animal awareness, environmental curiosity, and an early understanding of conservation.
To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.
Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: āInternational Polar Bear Dayā
Free Polar Bear activities for EYFS & KS1:
Polar Bear activities for EYFS & KS1:
Please visit our āPolar Animalsā page to browse our entire collection of educational materials on this theme.
Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes
More Early Years Event Pages for February
Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children
Browse our āSpecial Dates Calendarā page using the link below. Youāll find calendars for every month of the year to aid your planning!
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Disclaimer:
This page is for educational purposes only and is intended to support early years and primary practitioners with ideas and resources related to 'International Polar Bear Day'. We are not officially affiliated with or endorsed by Polar Bears International (PBI), which organises this event, other than providing their official website as a source of information about the initiative. We do not claim any rights to specific trademarks or official materials associated with this event. For official information, resources, and to learn more about polar bear conservation, please visit their website at www.polarbearsinternational.org.
Let's wear something red and learn about our amazing hearts and helping others! ā¤ļøš“ National Wear Red Day is a special yearly event organised by the Children's Heart Surgery Fundā¦