In Nursery and Reception we begin to teach the skills children will need to access Geography within the National Curriculum. We immerse the children in rich learning experiences using a variety of resources. Fiction and non-fiction books, together with sources from the internet are used to expand children's knowledge of places around the world. We use our school grounds to explore routes closer to home and experience seasonal changes first hand.

Many geographical skills are found within the Understanding the World section of the Early Years Framework, with some also in Mathematics, for example:

Mathematics

• Understand position through words alone. For example, “The bag is under the table,” – with no pointing.
• Describe a familiar route.
• Discuss routes and locations, using words like ‘in front of’ and ‘behind’.

Understanding the World

• Use all their senses in hands-on exploration of natural materials.
• Begin to understand the need to respect and care for the natural environment and all living things.
• Know that there are different countries in the work and talk about the differences they have experienced or seen in photos.
• Draw information from a simple map.
• Recognise some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries.
• Explore the natural world around them.
• Recognise some environments that are different to the one in which they live.
• Describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps.
• Explain some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries, drawing on knowledge from stories, non-fiction texts and (when appropriate) maps.

• Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.
• Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons.

Please have look at the slideshow to see some of our learning this year.