ELG / EYFS Understanding the World

Reception
Understanding the World Guidance

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Understanding the World

Early Learning Goals	Hands-On Education Activity
UW 1 - Past and Present Children at the expected level of development will: UW/1.1 talk about the lives of the people around them and their roles in society	Understanding The World - Activity 8
UW/1.2 know some similarities and differences between things in the past and now, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class	Understanding The World - Activity 2, 3, 9
UW/1.3 understand the past through settings, characters and events encountered in books read in class and storytelling	Understanding The World - Activity 2, 3, 9
UW 2 - People, Culture and Communities Children at the expected level of development will: UW/2.1 describe their immediate environment using knowledge from observation, discussion, stories, non-fiction texts and maps	Understanding The World - Activity 7, 8
UW/2.2 know some similarities and differences between different religious and cultural communities in this country, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class	currently not covered
UW/2.3 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	currently not covered
UW 3 - The Natural World Children at the expected level of development will: UW/3.1 explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants	Understanding The World - Activity 4, 5, 6, 9
UW/3.2 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	Understanding The World - Activity 4, 5, 6, 9
UW/3.3 understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter	Understanding The World - Activity 9

The Significance of Early Learning Goals Worldwide

According to the British government: understanding the world involves guiding children to make sense of their physical world and their community. The frequency and range of children’s personal experiences increases their knowledge and sense of the world around them – from visiting parks, libraries and museums to meeting important members of society such as police officers, nurses and firefighters.

In addition, listening to a broad selection of stories, non-fiction, rhymes and poems will foster their understanding of our culturally, socially, technologically and ecologically diverse world. As well as building important knowledge, this extends their familiarity with words that support understanding across domains. Enriching and widening children’s vocabulary will support later reading comprehension.