Nursery World - Material world

Take advantage of the application of D&T in the world around us to let children build on learning experiences From birth, children are surrounded by objects that have been designed and made - the buildings in which they live and play, the clothes they wear, the food they eat. The aim of design and technology (D&T) within the early years curriculum is to help children make sense of this 'made world' by designing and making things of their own - a vehicle, a den, an articulated caterpillar, sandwiches - anything that is relevant to their world and which will develop their understanding of that world, how it affects them and how they can change it.

From birth, children are surrounded by objects that have been designed and made -the buildings in which they live and play, the clothes they wear, the food they eat. The aim of design and technology (D&T) within the early years curriculum is to help children make sense of this 'made world' by designing and making things of their own - a vehicle, a den, an articulated caterpillar, sandwiches - anything that is relevant to their world and which will develop their understanding of that world, how it affects them and how they can change it.

Design and technology relates to two distinct but interrelated skills. Design is the thinking element of making; technology relates to making something for a purpose. This does not mean design is simply about drawing something before going on to make it. Planning a meal, deciding a colour scheme, choosing where to put a shelf, are all aspects of designing - thinking about making and modifying.

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