Geography in EYFS
Geography in the early years focuses on helping young children develop an understanding of the world around them. The main aim is to foster curiosity about places, people, environments, and how they are connected. Here's a summary of key themes:
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Awareness of Place: Children begin by recognizing familiar places like their home, school, and local area. They may explore maps, globes, and simple representations of the world.
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Spatial Awareness: Understanding where things are located relative to each other is an essential skill. This includes recognizing directions (e.g., left, right), understanding concepts of near and far, and using simple maps.
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Human and Physical Features: Young learners are introduced to basic concepts like landforms (mountains, rivers, beaches) and human features (cities, houses). They start to observe how humans interact with their environment.
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People and Communities: Children explore different cultures, people’s lifestyles, and how communities are formed. They begin to understand diversity and basic global connections.
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Simple Environmental Concepts: Kids learn about the weather, seasons, plants, and animals, and how these factors affect life around them.
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Practical Exploration: Geography in early years also involves hands-on activities, such as nature walks, looking at different environments, and creating simple maps or diagrams.
This early learning lays the foundation for more advanced geographic concepts later on, such as climate, ecosystems, and global connections. The emphasis is on experiential learning and fostering curiosity.