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STEM Learning
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These resources have been reviewed and selected by STEM Learning’s team of education specialists for factual accuracy and relevance to teaching STEM subjects in UK schools.
CPD taster - Making an impact in EYFS: Using the outdoors to promote ‘Understanding of the World’
This is a CPD taster created to give teachers a better understanding of what to expect when joining one of our primary science courses. Below you will find a video and a task for you to do in your own time. Once you have done the activity, book on to Making an impact in EYFS: Using the outdoors to promote 'Understanding of the World'(RP029).
How well does your outdoor environment promote children's 'Understanding of the World'? Are you making the most of outdoor opportunities in your Early Years Foundation Stage setting, to excite and engage children with their learning? Whether you have large established grounds, a minimal outdoor area or a currently underdeveloped space, this course will help you identify ways to use the great outdoors as an engaging environment for children to find out about and understand the world around them.
In this video, Helen Sizer, Professional development leader in primary science, explains more. There is then a short task that gives a sample of the types of activities you will be guided through on this CPD course.
Task: Wondering out loud
Imagine you are outside, and a child has collected some leaves which you are now looking at together.
Consider the following prompts for a few minutes each, and make a note of your answers:
- What might you "wonder" about together?
- What learning might occur for both science and maths? Think about both conceptual understanding and skills development. Are there other areas covered too?
- What key vocabulary might you focus on?
There are of course no right or wrong answers here. But you might have considered some, or all, of the following:
Show examples
Wondering out loud with children in this way can reinforce connections between topics and start to develop early scientific skills. Consider where you could introduce such "wondering" with your children.
Next steps
In the summary video, Helen explains what you can expect from attending this course.
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