Understanding the World is a specific area of the Early Years Foundation Stage. It introduces children to the world beyond their immediate experience, including the past and present, people, cultures and communities and the natural world. It provides the early foundations for history, geography, science and religious education.

At The Whiteoak Academies, Understanding the World is not just treated as a stand-alone subject. Instead, it provides meaningful context for learning and is woven throughout our curriculum, enriching children’s knowledge and understanding across all areas.

What are the expectations by the end of Reception?

By the end of Reception, children are expected to achieve the Early Learning Goals in:

Past and Present

• Talk about the lives of people around them and their roles in society
• Know some similarities and differences between things in the past and now
• Understand the past through settings, characters and events encountered in books

People, Culture and Communities

• Describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories and maps
• Know some similarities and differences between different religious and cultural communities
• Explain some similarities and differences between life in this country and life in other countries

The Natural World

• Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures
• Know some similarities and differences between the natural world around them and contrasting environments
• Understand some important processes and changes in the natural world, including seasons and life cycles

How do we teach Understanding the World at The Whiteoak Academies?

We follow the Lighthouse Schools Partnership (LSP) Understanding the World curriculum, which provides a coherent, knowledge-rich sequence of learning across the year.

Units are built around engaging and meaningful topics, including:

• Who am I?
• Who are the people in the community who help us?
• Forces
• Light and Dark
• What is a habitat?
• What is it like to live in the countryside?
• How different is it to live in Kenya?
• What do plants and animals need to live and grow?
• Seasonal changes

Each unit is carefully planned to develop:

• Substantive knowledge — what children know about the world
• Disciplinary skills — how children observe, question, compare and communicate

From the earliest stages, children are encouraged to think like historians, geographers and scientists through exploration and enquiry.

Learning Through First-Hand Experiences

Learning is brought to life through rich, first-hand experiences. We place a strong emphasis on visits, visitors and real-world opportunities to deepen understanding.

These include:

• Welly Walks in the local environment
• Visits to the church garden
• A virtual transport museum experience
• Seed planting and growing
• Chick hatching
• Farm visits
• Food tasting from around the world

These experiences help children to make meaningful connections and develop curiosity, awe and wonder about the world around them.

Religious Education

Religious Education is taught through the Jigsaw programme.

Children learn about:

• Special people
• Celebrations
• Growth and change
• Different faiths and traditions

We celebrate the diverse backgrounds and cultures within our school community and ensure our curriculum reflects a wide range of experiences through high-quality texts and discussion.

Supporting Every Child

All children are supported to explore and understand the world through:

• High-quality teaching
• Carefully planned experiences
• Meaningful discussion and questioning

Children are encouraged to share their own experiences and build on what they already know, ensuring learning is relevant and inclusive.

Impact

As a result of our carefully planned curriculum and rich experiences, children develop a growing understanding of the world around them. They become curious, observant and confident in discussing their ideas.

They are able to make connections, recognise similarities and differences, and show respect for others — providing a strong foundation for future learning in history, geography, science and RE.

How can you help at home?

You can support your child’s understanding of the world by:

• Talking about the past and sharing family stories or photographs
• Visiting local places such as parks, libraries and community spaces
• Exploring nature together — observing seasons, growing plants or spotting wildlife
• Celebrating your own cultural traditions and sharing them with your child
• Talking about what your child is learning and encouraging them to explain their ideas