Term 5 – Growing

Growing Topic Web

Next half term, our EYFS topic will be “Growing”, where the children will explore the natural world around them and learn about seasonal change. We will be looking closely at the signs of Spring, helping the children to identify and describe what they can see in their environment, such as new plants, flowers, and changes in the weather. We will also spend time in our school garden, mapping and exploring the green spaces, and observing insects and animals that are more active at this time of year. Alongside this, the children will learn what plants need to grow and investigate how changes, such as less sunlight, can affect them. We will also explore life cycles by observing animals or insects such as chicks or caterpillars, and carry out simple activities like baking to notice changes over time.

As part of our learning, we will introduce children to why Spring is an important time for Christians, linking this to the celebration of Easter. The children will learn why Easter is special to Christians and how it is celebrated today, while also making links to celebrations in their own families and communities. In addition, we will explore the past by learning about Medieval castles, including who lived in them and why they were built, and how life has changed since that time. We will encourage the children to compare different ways of living, such as farm life and city life, and to think about how we learn about the past through sources like pictures and stories. Throughout the topic, the focus will be on developing curiosity, observation skills, and early comparison and discussion skills in a fun and engaging way.

You could support your child by:

• Spending time outdoors noticing signs of Spring such as flowers, buds, insects, and changes in the weather
• Visiting a local park, garden, or explore your own outdoor space together
• Planting seeds or care for plants at home and talk about what plants need to grow
• Baking or cooking together (e.g. making bread) and discuss how things change over time
• Reading books about Spring, animals, and life cycles, and encourage your child to draw what they observe
• Talking about family celebrations, including Easter if relevant, and how you celebrate them
• Discussing similarities and differences between your celebrations and others in your community
• Sharing stories, look at pictures, or visit historical places such as castles
• Talking about how life was different in the past compared to today (e.g. cooking, washing, sleeping)
• Encouraging your child to ask questions, make comparisons (e.g. town vs countryside), and share their ideas