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Science & ‘Development Matters’

(Development Matters: ‘Understanding the World’ ELG: The Natural World)

When considering the EYFS Statutory Framework, Science largely falls under the heading ‘Understanding the World’.

The main Development Matters statements which consider the various areas of scientific exploration, investigation and discovery are as follows:

Birth to 3

• Repeat actions that have an effect.

• Explore materials with different properties.

• Explore natural materials, indoors and outside.

• Explore and respond to different natural phenomena in their setting and on trips.

3 & 4 Year Olds

• Use all their senses in hands on exploration of natural materials.

• Explore collections of materials with similar and/or different properties.

• Talk about what they see, using a wide vocabulary.

• Explore how things work.

• Plant seeds and care for growing plants.

• Understand the key features of the life cycle of a plant and an animal.

• Begin to understand the need to respect and care for the natural environment and all living things.

• Explore and talk about different forces they can feel.

• Talk about the differences between materials and changes they notice.

Reception

• Explore the natural world around them.

• Describe what they see, hear and feel whilst outside.

• Recognise some environments that are different from the one in which they live.

• Understand the effect of changing seasons on the natural world around them.

ELG: The Natural World

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.

In the following sections, click on the thumbnail images below for further details…

Science Activity Packs

Science Banners

STEM - Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Science areas

Dinosaurs

Float/Sink

Gravity & Movement/Forces

Inventions

Light/Dark/Shadows

Living Things

Materials

Medicine/Health

Seasons

Senses - Coming soon!

Solids/Liquids/Gases

Sound

Space

The Human Body/This is Me

The Environment

Weather

Outdoor Area

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