Exploring Our Families

Lesson Overview

• Unit: Then and Now: Life (Lesson 2 of 10)
• Year Group: Reception (Ages 4-5)
• Subject: History
• Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
• Class Size: 24 students
• Curriculum Link: Understanding the World – Past and Present (Early Years Foundation Stage – EYFS)

Learning Objectives

By the end of the lesson, children will:

1. Understand that families change over time.
2. Recognise how life was different for their parents and grandparents.
3. Begin using simple language to describe the past.

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Lesson Structure

1. Settling Activity – Family Photo Circle (10 minutes)

• Children sit in a circle on the carpet.
• Teacher holds up a family photo of someone from their past (a grandparent, parent as a child, etc.) and briefly describes who they are.
• Example prompts:
  • “This is my grandmother when she was little. She didn’t have a TV at home like we do now!”
  • “This is my dad when he was a boy. He used to listen to music on a cassette tape. Have you ever seen one?”
• Encourage children to notice differences between past and present in a simple way.

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2. Show and Tell – Comparing Our Families (15 minutes)

• Each child brings in a family photo (or a photo is provided if they do not have one).
• In small groups (4-5 students per group), they take turns to share their photo and describe who is in it.
• Supportive questioning:
  • “Who is this?”
  • “Do they look the same or different from you?”
  • “What did they do for fun when they were little?”
• Teacher or teaching assistant helps guide these conversations, helping children make simple comparisons.

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3. Then vs Now Sorting Game (15 minutes)

• Teacher presents a collection of images:
  • Old and new forms of transport (e.g., horse-drawn cart vs. modern car).
  • Past and present toys (e.g., spinning top vs. tablet).
  • Clothing from different eras (e.g., traditional school uniforms vs. today’s school jumpers).
• Children work in pairs to sort the pictures into two categories: "Then" and "Now."
• Encourage discussion on why they chose certain categories.

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4. Story Time – ‘When Grandma Was Young’ (10 minutes)

• Teacher reads a short story about a grandparent’s childhood, focusing on differences in daily life (e.g., no internet, playing outside all day, helping with chores).
• After reading, lead a short discussion:
  • “What do you think is the biggest difference between now and then?”
  • “Would you like to live like this? Why or why not?”

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5. Reflection and Closing Discussion (10 minutes)

• Gather children on the carpet for a brief recap:
  • “Can you tell me something that was different when your grandparents were little?”
  • “What is something from the past that you think would be fun to try?”
• Introduce next lesson: “Next time, we’ll look at old and new toys. What toys do you think your grandparents played with?”
• Give children a sticker or small reward for great participation.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observing children’s discussions about their photos.
• Listening to their responses in sorting activities.
• Noting their ability to describe and compare past and present.

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Resources & Preparation

• Family photos from home (or alternatives provided by the teacher).
• Printed past-and-present images for sorting.
• A short children’s story about life in the past.
• Carpet space for circle-time discussions.

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Adaptations for Different Learners

• EAL (English as an Additional Language) Learners: Use visual aids and gestures to support understanding. Allow extra response time.
• More Confident Speakers: Encourage extension questions like “What do you think will be different in the future?”
• Quiet or Shy Students: Give them the option to show their photo without speaking or to share their ideas one-on-one with the teacher.

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Teacher Reflection After Lesson

• Which children were engaged and shared their thoughts confidently?
• Did children show an understanding of past and present?
• What adjustments are needed for future lessons in the unit?

This session encourages curiosity, storytelling, and early historical thinking in a way that's personal and meaningful for reception children. By using real-life connections, we help them understand the concept of time and how lives have changed!