Features

Areas of Learning and Development: Specific area: Understanding the World

Ann Langston explains the changes to Understanding the World in the revised framework

NEW EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMME

'Understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community through opportunities to explore, observe and find out about people, places, technology and the environment.' (Revised statutory Framework, paragraph 1.6)

Understanding the World remains much the same as it is in the current EYFS, focused on the beginnings of history, geography, science and technology. This is currently a catch-all area, so it is much clearer as a result of the recent revision. Perhaps the most significant difference relates to the points reflecting children's experiences of the world, covered in 'People and communities'.

ASPECTS

The creation of three aspects has ensured that each is focused on only one or two things. So, 'People and communities' is about the child's (his) story and about similarity and difference. This is much more appropriate, because it is about helping children to think about their own lives and experiences before expecting them to understand those of other people.

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