Growing Up and Changing

Curriculum Area: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Understanding the World

Specific Area: Past and Present
Development Matters Guidance: Children should begin to understand differences between things in the past and now, drawing on their experiences and what has been read in class.

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Lesson Objectives

By the end of the lesson, children will be able to:

• Recognise the key stages of human life from birth to old age.
• Talk about how they have changed since they were babies.
• Explore and compare life 'then' and 'now' with practical child-initiated activities.

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Lesson Structure (60 Minutes)

1. Introduction – Whole Class Discussion (10 minutes)

Seated on the carpet in a circle, begin with a "Guess Who?" baby picture game:

• Show pictures of different babies and ask, “What do you think this person is like now? Are they still a baby?”
• Reveal that these babies have grown up into different people (e.g. child, teenager, adult).
• Talk about how we grow and change, exploring physical changes and learning new skills.

Lead an engaging class discussion using questions like:

• “What could you do as a baby?”
• “What can you do now that you couldn’t do before?”
• “What will happen when you get older?”

Encourage children to share stories about what they did as babies, or what their families have told them.

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2. Child-Initiated Learning Activities (40 minutes)

Children will rotate freely between a range of practical activities to explore how we grow and change.

Activity 1: Life Stages Sorting Game (Small Group – Adult Supported)

• Provide images of different life stages (baby, toddler, child, teenager, adult, old person).
• Children work together to put them in order and describe each stage.
• Encourage discussion: "What do you think an adult does?" "What do older people do differently?"

Activity 2: 'Then and Now' Dress-Up Role-Play Corner

• Set up a dress-up area with baby grows, school uniforms, work outfits, and glasses/wigs for 'older people'.
• Encourage children to dress up and act like people from different life stages.
• Prompt them to role-play different scenarios, such as going to school as a child or pretending to be a grandparent telling a story.

Activity 3: 'When I Was a Baby' Tuff Tray Exploration

• Create a sensory tray with baby items: nappies, bottles, soft toys, baby shoes.
• Compare these items with things they use now: a lunchbox, trainers, a school bag.
• Encourage children to pick items up, talk about their uses, and discuss how they have changed.

Activity 4: 'Future Me' Drawing Station

• Provide mirrors and paper for children to draw how they look now.
• Then, ask them to imagine and draw what they think they will look like when they grow up.
• Support discussion: "What job do you think you’ll have?" "How will you be different?"

Activity 5: Building a ‘Timeline of Me’ with Loose Parts (Outdoor/Indoor)

• Provide wooden blocks, string, and labels for children to design and construct a timeline from baby to older adult.
• They can build it as a path or stepping stones and walk along it, narrating their 'life journey'.

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3. Plenary – Reflection and Sharing (10 minutes)

Bring the children back to the carpet for a review discussion.

Reflection Questions:

• “What was the most interesting thing you learned today?”
• “What do you think will be the best thing about getting bigger?”
• “Are there things you will still love doing when you're older?”

Sing "Growing Up Song" (to the tune of "Row, Row, Row Your Boat"):
"Grow, grow, grow and learn, every single day!
Watch me change and watch me grow, in so many ways!"

Finish the lesson by reading a story such as “Once There Were Giants” by Martin Waddell, reinforcing the theme of growing up.

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Assessment Opportunities

• Observe children during child-initiated activities: Can they order life stages? Can they describe changes in themselves?
• Listen to their discussions during play and role-play activities.
• Collect drawings from the ‘Future Me’ station and discuss their ideas with them.
• Use questioning during the plenary to assess understanding and engagement.

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Resources Needed

• Baby photos (optional – can be teacher provided)
• Pictures of different life stages
• Dress-up clothes (baby items, school uniforms, adult accessories)
• Sensory items for ‘Then and Now’ tuff tray
• Mirrors, paper, and colouring tools for ‘Future Me’ station
• Wooden blocks and materials for a timeline

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Adaptations for Differentiation

For children needing extra support:

• Provide picture prompts to help them sequence life stages.
• Use adult support in sorting activities to encourage discussion.

For children needing more challenge:

• Encourage them to explain why life changes and predict how they will feel at different stages.
• Invite them to write simple sentences about their timeline or drawings.

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This engaging, play-based lesson combines practical, hands-on activities with meaningful discussions to help young children understand the passage of time and how people grow and change. Through exploration, role-play, and creativity, they can develop a foundational understanding of history in a way that is relevant to their own lives.