International Women’s Day | EYFS & KS1 Activity Ideas

**Note: This page is for educational inspiration and is not officially affiliated with International Women’s Day. For official information, themes, and resources, please visit the International Women's Day website: www.internationalwomensday.com.

Understanding International Women’s Day in EYFS & KS1

Let's celebrate all the amazing women in our lives and around the world! 💖💪 International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8th. It's a very important day that commemorates the cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of women throughout history and in the present day. It also serves as a key moment in the women's rights movement, drawing attention to vital issues like gender equality, reproductive rights, and the fight against violence and abuse against women.

For early years settings, nurseries, preschools, childminders, and Year 1 and Year 2 classrooms, this day provides a meaningful and accessible theme for exploring fairness, equality, respect, diversity, personal, social & emotional development (PSED), and understanding the world. It's about introducing children to the concept that everyone, regardless of gender, deserves equal opportunities and respect, celebrating the contributions of women in all walks of life, and fostering a sense of aspiration and possibility. This day offers wonderful planning ideas and inspiration for engaging activities that truly resonate with young minds, making learning about social justice and inclusive communities both empowering and essential.

Why Is Celebrating International Women’s Day Important for Young Children?

Integrating International Women’s Day into your practice with young children (aged 0-7) fosters an early understanding of equality, respect, and diversity, which are foundational for building a fair and inclusive society.

• Promotes Equality: Introduces the concept that all people, regardless of gender, are valuable and deserve equal opportunities and respect.

• Celebrates Achievements: Highlights the diverse roles and contributions of women in history and contemporary society, providing positive role models.

• Challenges Stereotypes: Helps to break down gender stereotypes by showing children that anyone can achieve anything, regardless of whether they are a boy or a girl.

• Fosters Respect & Fairness: Encourages children to treat everyone with kindness and fairness.

• Develops Self-Esteem & Aspiration: Empowers all children, particularly girls, to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams.

• Understanding Diversity: Broadens children's understanding of the diverse experiences and roles of people around the world.

Engaging Equality & Celebration Activities for International Women’s Day (0-7 Year Olds)

Let's celebrate the strength, resilience, and achievements of women everywhere for International Women’s Day with these planning ideas and activities perfect for EYFS and KS1 children. The focus is on fairness, respect, and recognising the wonderful things women do! Many of these early years and year 1 activities can be supported by our 'Fairness', 'All About Me', 'Emotions and Feelings', and 'Kindness and Friendship' resources.

Here's some inspiration for making this day meaningful 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.)

• Who Inspires You? Ask children to think about a woman (or person) in their life who inspires them – it could be a mum, grandma, aunt, teacher, or even a character from a book. Have them draw a picture of this person and explain why they are inspiring.

• Celebrating 'Fairness': Engage in discussions and activities around what "fair" means.

  • Use 'Fairness - Which Is Fairer? - Posters' to prompt discussions about equal sharing or opportunities.

  • Provide 'Fairness - Draw A Fairer Version - Sheets' for children to illustrate scenarios where things are made fair.

  • Encourage reflection with 'Fairness - Making It Fairer - Drawing/Writing' activities.

• Diverse Role Models: Talk about different jobs and roles people have, showing images of women in various professions (scientists, doctors, builders, artists, teachers, firefighters, astronauts, etc.). Emphasise that everyone can choose any job they want, regardless of gender.

• Story Time: Books Featuring Strong Female Characters: Read aloud books that feature brave, kind, clever, or adventurous female characters. Examples could include tales like The Little Red Hen or Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

• "All About Me" & Aspiration: Link the day to children's personal identities and future aspirations. Discuss what they might want to be when they grow up and affirm that their dreams are achievable. Resources from our 'All About Me' page can be useful here.

• Kindness and Friendship: Emphasise how treating everyone with kindness and respect builds strong friendships and communities. Use resources from our 'Kindness And Friendship' page to reinforce these values.

• Expressing Emotions: Discuss how everyone, boys and girls, experiences a full range of emotions. Use resources from our 'Emotions And Feelings' page to support emotional literacy.

• Celebrating Diversity: Talk about how we are all unique and wonderful, and that differences make our world interesting.

• Creative Expressions: Create a "Wall of Inspirational Women" display with pictures and drawings.

• Explore More: You may also like to explore additional pages covering relevant and/or connected themes such as 'Endangered Animals' (some conservationists are inspiring women!), 'Mental Health' (promoting well-being for all), and 'Teddy Bears' Picnic' (for general inclusive play).

These activities offer great inspiration for making International Women’s Day a memorable and impactful experience in your early years and Key Stage One setting, fostering an early understanding of equality, respect, diversity, and empowerment for all.

To explore ideas surrounding additional early years events, please visit our 'Special Dates Calendar' page.

Printable resources to support teaching & learning surrounding: ‘International Women’s Day’

Fairness activities for EYFS & KS1:

Additional Pages you may like to explore which cover relevant &/or Connected themes

More Early Years Event Pages for MArch

Explore special dates (including awareness dates, festivals, celebrations & events) relevant to your EYFS & KS1 children

Browse our ‘Special Dates Calendar’ page using the link below. You’ll 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 Women’s Day'. We are not officially affiliated with or endorsed by any specific organisation that may officially promote this event, other than providing the official International Women's Day 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, themes, and to learn more about the global celebration of women's achievements and rights, please visit their website at www.internationalwomensday.com.