Unit 15: Understanding the world: the natural world

The natural world is one of the three aspects of understanding the world, one of the four specific areas of learning in the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS). Children are expected to reach the early learning goal at the end of the EYFS in the reception year at primary school.

All staff need to be confident of their role in developing children’s understanding of this area of learning and development whatever the age of the children they work with. It is important to remember that different approaches are appropriate for different ages of children and different children will progress in their understanding at different rates.

Participants will:

• know the early learning goal in relation to the natural world
• understand how to interact with children to support their knowledge and understanding of the natural world around them
• know what resources and staff interactions will support children in developing their understanding of the natural world around them
• gain confidence in planning for this aspect of understanding the world for children of different ages and stages.

Step 1: Introduction (5–10 minutes)
Step 2: Ideas to support the goal (10–15 minutes)
Step 3: Plan an activity (5–10 minutes)