This week, our Reception history detectives hopped into a "time machine" to explore how we get from A to B! We’ve been comparing transport from the past with the vehicles and vessels we see in the present.
Spotting the Clues
The children turned into mini-investigators, looking closely at old and new photographs. We didn't just look at the pictures; we looked for clues to help us decide when each vehicle was from.
We asked questions like:
- Is it made of wood or shiny metal?
- Does it have an engine or is it pulled by a horse?
- Are the wheels made of wood or rubber?
The Big Sort
Once we gathered our evidence, it was time to put our knowledge to the test! In small groups, the children sorted various photographs into two categories: Past and Present.
We had some brilliant discussions about:
- Sailing ships with giant white sheets (sails) vs. huge modern cargo ships.
- Penny-farthing bicycles with one giant wheel vs. the scooters we use today.
- Steam trains that used coal vs. the electric trains we ride to the city.
It was amazing to see how quickly the children spotted that things in the past often looked a bit "bumpy" and "different," while modern transport is often "smooth" and "fast."
Talk at Home: Next time you are out for a walk or in the car, see if your child can spot a vehicle that looks very modern. Can they imagine what it might have looked like 100 years ago?
