All Reception units are built around the disciplinary knowledge children need to develop for Year 1 and beyond. Each lesson explores a different skill:
🌡️ Lesson 1: Finding Similarities and Differences
🌡️Lesson 2: Being Curious and Asking Questions
🌡️ Lesson 3: Performing Simple Tests and Using Equipment
🌡️ Lesson 4: Using Senses to Observe and Look Closely
🌡️ Lesson 5: Looking Closely and Noticing Changes
🌡️ Lesson 6: Making Simple Records and Talking About Observations
Two further skills are taught throughout the lessons:
✅ Talking about what I have done and notice
✅ Sorting and matching things
The substantive knowledge this unit explores is the properties of materials and is taken from the Early Learning Goal: The Natural World – Explore the natural world around them, making observations and drawing pictures of animals and plants. And understand some important processes and changes in the natural world around them, including the seasons and changing states of matter
The unit has been designed to teach at any point throughout the year and can be adapted to suit a particular topic, or taught as stand alone lessons.
Each lesson has a short carpet input and then three activities: One is a teacher-led activity to be completed in small groups, two are play-based activities which children can interact with independently or with support from a teaching assistant. There are optional ideas for continuous provision which link to each lesson.
Where children lead in their learning within play, they should not be expected to use the resources exactly as a teacher sees fit. By its nature, play-based learning involves children using their natural curiosity to interact with objects in a manner that suits their personal learning needs and preferences.
Where the independent task is differentiated, it is done so on a star system, where two stars is aimed at children who meet the expected level in science, one star is for those below the expected level and three stars is for those exceeding the expected level.
Introduce young learners to the world of materials with our Reception science unit on Exploring Materials. Part of the Scintillating Science programme, this enquiry-based unit is aligned with the EYFS Framework and supports the Early Learning Goals through hands-on, play-based learning.
Designed specifically for Reception, this unit helps children investigate a variety of materials and their properties. Through structured activities and continuous provision, children will explore how materials look, feel, and behave – all while developing key early science and communication skills.
Our EYFS science resources provide everything you need to deliver engaging Reception science lessons:
This unit encourages children to explore materials using their senses and natural curiosity. Pupils will:
Each lesson includes:
This flexible structure allows you to tailor sessions to your pupils’ interests and developmental stages.
Independent tasks are organised by ability using a clear three-star system:
Assessment is observation-based, focusing on engagement, questioning, and the ability to describe and sort materials.
Support early scientific enquiry with our EYFS science unit on Exploring Materials. Perfect for Reception teachers looking for materials investigations and science worksheets for early years. Free trial available.
