Growing Up Storytime

Lesson Overview

Unit: Then and Now: Life
Lesson Number: 5 of 10
Lesson Duration: 60 minutes
Year Group: Reception
Class Size: 24 students
Curriculum Area: Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) – Understanding the World (Past and Present)
Objective: Students will explore the stages of life (baby, child, teenager, adult, senior) through storytelling and role-play. They will recognise how life changes over time and what people typically do at each stage.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this lesson, students will be able to:

1. Identify and name the main stages of life.
2. Describe basic characteristics and activities of each life stage.
3. Participate in role-play to illustrate different stages of growing up.
4. Recognise that they are currently in the "child" stage and discuss what comes next.

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Lesson Structure

1. Introduction – 10 minutes

Hook: "Who Grows Up?" Discussion

• Teacher question: "Do you think everyone grows up? What happens as we get older?"
• Display five pictures on the board: a baby, a child, a teenager, an adult, and a senior citizen.
• Ask: “Can anyone guess which of these comes first? What about next?”
• Emphasise: Everyone grows and changes over time, just like animals and plants.

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2. Story Time – 15 minutes

Story: "Lily’s Life Adventure"

• Introduce a short, engaging story about a girl named Lily who grows from a baby to an adult.
• As you read, pause to ask:
  • "What can Lily do now that she couldn't do as a baby?"
  • "What do you think she will do when she is a grown-up?"
• Use props (soft toy for baby, backpack for child, phone for teenager, briefcase for adult, walking stick for senior).

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3. Discussion and Sorting Activity – 15 minutes

Sorting Game: Life Stage Matching

• Lay out large cut-outs with images of each life stage.
• Hand out small objects or pictures (e.g., milk bottle, school bag, car keys, walking stick).
• As a class, match the objects to the correct life stage.

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4. Role-Playing – 15 minutes

"Act It Out"

• Divide the class into five small groups, each representing a life stage.
• Assign simple actions:
  • Babies: Pretend to crawl and hold a bottle.
  • Children: Pretend to skip and play with toys.
  • Teenagers: Pretend to text on a phone or carry a backpack.
  • Adults: Pretend to go to work or drive a car.
  • Seniors: Pretend to sit in a rocking chair or use a walking stick.
• Each group performs their stage for the rest of the class.

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5. Reflection and Plenary – 5 minutes

"What’s Next For Me?" Discussion

• Ask each child to share one thing they like about being a child.
• Pose the question: “What do you think you will be able to do when you're a teenager?”

Key Takeaway:

• "We all grow, just like Lily in the story – but right now, it's special to be a child!"

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Resources Needed

• Large printed images of each life stage.
• Small objects for sorting game (milk bottle, toys, keys, etc.).
• Storybook or teacher-made story text with props.
• Space for role-play activity.

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Assessment Opportunities

✔ Observing student responses during class discussions.
✔ Checking how well students match objects to life stages.
✔ Assessing participation and engagement in role-playing.

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Teacher Notes

• Keep activities interactive – young children learn best through play.
• Use simple language, as Reception students may not yet understand words like “senior citizen.”
• Be prepared for personal responses – some children may bring up experiences with elderly relatives.

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Extension Activity

🖍️ Creative Drawing: Ask students to draw themselves now and imagine themselves as a grown-up!

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This lesson makes history relatable by linking the abstract concept of "past and present" with students' own lives. It’s designed to be dynamic, engaging, and child-friendly, reinforcing key EYFS learning goals in a memorable way. 🎉