The EYFS framework places active exploration at its core and what better way to embed this pedagogy than to support pupils to build an understanding of their world? This course empowers you to enable young learners to truly experience their immediate locality: to take notice, map, discuss, act and reflect on what they see, hear, smell and feel. Jon shares a range of practical approaches that breathe life in to abstract concepts and places, demonstrating how hands-on learning inspires high quality skills and knowledge acquisition.

Supporting research / references

EYFS framework (2024), ‘…three characteristics of effective teaching and learning are: 

• playing and exploring - children investigate and experience things, ‘have a go,’ 
• active learning - children concentrate and keep on trying if they encounter difficulties, and enjoy achievements, and
• thinking critically - children have and develop their own ideas, make links between ideas, creating strategies for doing things.’

Tishman, S. (2018) Slow Looking: The art and practice of learning through observation, demonstrates the need for children to have the opportunity to take a ‘slow look’ at the world.

Primary geography articles:

• Owens, Rotchell, Sprake, Witt (Autumn 2022) Geography in the Early Years: Guidance for doing wonderful and effective geography with young pupils
• Rotchell, Sprake (Summer 2022) Playing and learning with maps in the EYFS
• Kennington, Rotchell (Summer 2023) Introducing maps in the Early Years

GA website:

• https://geography.org.uk/resources/eyfs-exploring-water-puddles/
• https://geography.org.uk/resources/barnaby-bear-through-the-seasons/
• https://geography.org.uk/resources/eyfs-street-furniture-hunt/
• https://geography.org.uk/curriculum-support/support-guidance-curriculum-planning/early-years-and-primary-curriculum/2014-eyfs-framework/planning-geographical-learning-in-to-the-eyfs/

Key learning aims

• To better understand the power of authentic and meaningful learning through investigating place and space. 
• To explore how geography and the EYFS framework work in unison to develop young people’s thoughts and actions.
• To make meaning through a ‘slow look’ approach.

Expected impact on teachers

• Increased knowledge, confidence and understanding of geography within ‘Understanding the world’.
• Becoming better geographical thinkers with a focus on making connections and using outdoor space effectively.

Expected impact on pupils

• An ability to make slow and deliberate observations.
• An understanding of the value of their personal experiences.
• A glimpse of the interconnectedness of the world.

Course programme

This course consists of three twilight webinars, each running 15.45 – 17.15 on the specified dates.

Meet your course lead