These Understanding the World activities, supply teaching ideas for EYFS, are taken from the book EYFS Supply Teaching Made Simple.
In small groups or in a key worker session, take it in turns to programme the Bee-bots and send them to different locations on a car mat or similar. (Links to C&L, PSED, M)
Look closely at plants / flowers / halves of fruit / vegetables / shells. Discuss what the children can see, and complete observed drawings (Links to PD, EAD)
Discuss questions that we could ask a particular person (e.g. firefighter) or about a particular place. Older children to record. (Links to C&L, L)
Devise a treasure hunt for objects related to the current topic, and encourage the children to search the outdoor area. (Links to M, C&L, PD)
Use a non-fiction topic book as a basis for discussion and relate to the children’s own experiences. (Links to C&L)
Investigate nursery rhymes using water / sand / blocks etc. How did Incy Wincy get down the spout? How did Jack fall down the hill? Why did Humpty’s wall fall down? Can we improve them / help them? (Links to C&L, L, PSED, EAD)
Investigate the properties of objects or foods using senses (Look in the kitchen – you may be surprised what is in there!). Cover over several foods in small bowls and ask the children to smell them, or put an object in a feely bag and ask the children to identify by touch, encouraging them to use different words to describe what they feel or smell. (Links to C&L, PSED)