Geography
At Wheldon Infant School and Nursery Geography is a valued part of the National Curriculum because it provides a means of exploring, appreciating and understanding the world in which we live and how it has evolved. Geography explores the relationship between the Earth and its people and stimulates children's curiosity and imagination. We aim to build upon the child’s ‘personal geography’ by developing geographical skills, understanding and knowledge through studying places and themes. We will encourage children to learn by experience through fieldwork and practical activities. It is our intent that the Geography element of our school curriculum will inspire pupils with a curiosity and fascination about the world and its people that will remain with them for the rest of their lives. Our objective is to ensure that there is progression of geography skills across the school which enables children to develop their and practice their skills.
What we learn and when...
Geography Whole School Overview
This document shows how Geography is taught in our school from Nursery to Year 2
Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)
It may seem strange to think about your 3 or 4 year old child as a geographer. However, the years from birth to age five provide a first opportunity to see how your child interacts with their environment — and how the environment influences them. The early learning goals in EYFS aim to guide your child onto make sense of their physical world and their community by exploring, observing, and finding out about people, places, technology and the environment.
Key Stage 1
In Years 1 and 2, your child will be asked to begin to develop a geographical vocabulary by learning about where they live, as well as one other small area of the United Kingdom and a small area in a contrasting non-European country. They will learn about weather patterns in the United Kingdom and hot and cold areas of the world. They will use ICT, world maps, atlases and globes, simple compass directions, aerial photographs and plans, as well as simple fieldwork and observational skills. Schools have flexibility to choose the areas they teach and there is considerable variation between schools in their approaches.
Nursery Gallery
Reception Gallery
Year 1 Gallery
Year 2/1 Gallery
Year 2 Gallery
How can I support my child with Geography?
The curriculum content may appear daunting, but don’t panic — you are already an accomplished geographer! Your daily life constantly provides you with rich geographical experiences, information and understanding. You think and act geographically, often without realising it. It comes naturally … as you navigate your way around your home and neighbourhood; as you make sense of local and world news; as you respond to the weather forecast, as you decide on a holiday location and how to get there.
When out and about in your local area, you can help your child geographically by chatting about local physical features, attractions and activities. You might even like to develop this idea by asking them to provide a tourist guide for their local area for visiting relatives.
On a journey, you can share the road map or map phone app with your son or daughter so they can follow the route while you talk about where you are going. Alternatively, ask them to draw a map of their journey to school or the local shop, including any natural or man-made features along the way.
Holidays are an ideal opportunity to compare the location with their home area — you might ask your child to talk through five similarities and differences, for example. Holidays also provide an opportunity for a museum visit or a trip to a tourist attraction.
Closer to home, use anything at your disposal! Magazines, TV, films and even some computer games can provide your child with a view of distant places. They enable your child to be transported instantly to another place. Prompt their thinking with questions, such as: What might the weather be like in this place? Why might the road have been built where it is? The list of questions is endless and will lead to all sorts of discussions which will really help to develop curiosity about, and understanding of, the world.
Useful links
The BBC Bitesize websites link to videos, games and information a wide range of geographical knowledge:
Geography Policy
