Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Requirements
Children at Breaside are provided with a wealth of experience when developing the knowledge, skills and understanding that help them to make sense of the world. Their learning is supported through offering opportunities for them to use a range of tools safely; encounter creatures, people, plants and objects in their natural environments and in real-life situations; undertake practical ‘experiments’; and work with a range of materials.
What Knowledge and Understanding of the World means for children
■■ In the Early Years our children find out about the world through exploration and from a variety of sources, including their families and friends, the media, and through what they see and hear.
■■ Our youngest children are given regular opportunities to learn about different ways of life, to be given accurate information and to develop positive and caring attitudes towards others.
■■ Breaside children are helped to learn to respect and value all people and learn to avoid
misapprehensions and negative attitudes towards others when they develop their Knowledge and Understanding of the World.
■■ Our children are involved in the practical applications of their knowledge and skills which will promote self-esteem through allowing them to make decisions about what to investigate and how to do it.
How Breaside effectively implements this area of Learning and Development
Our children are given the best opportunities for effective development and learning in Knowledge and Understanding of the World practitioners should give particular attention to the following areas.
Positive Relationships
■■ We use parents’ and other adults’ knowledge to extend children’s experiences of the world.
■■ Our children become aware of, explore and question differences in gender, ethnicity, language, religion, culture, special educational needs and disability issues.
■■ Support can be given to children with sensory impairment by providing supplementary experience and information to enhance their learning about the world around them.
Enabling Environments
■■ Breaside has created a stimulating environment that offers a range of activities which encourages our children’s interest and curiosity, both indoors and outdoors.
■■ Children are able to effectively use both indoor and outdoor, including the local neighbourhood environments.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Learning and Development
■■ Activities are based on first-hand experiences that encourage exploration, experimentation, observation, problem solving, prediction, critical thinking, decision making and discussion.
■■ Our children are taught skills and knowledge in the context of practical activities, for example, learning about the characteristics of liquids and solids by involving children in everyday experiments and investigations.
■■ Breaside children are encouraged to tell each other what they have found out, to speculate on future findings or to describe their experiences. This enables them to rehearse and reflect upon their knowledge and to practise new vocabulary.
■■ Our children are supported in using a range of ICT to include cameras, photocopiers, CD players, tape recorders and programmable toys in addition to computers.
■■ Breaside children are given accurate information which challenges cultural, racial, social and gender stereotypes.