French Picnic
Level 1 builds foundational geography and cultural awareness. 'French Picnic' reinforces identity and belonging.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Around the World
- Learning area: Gross Motor / SEL
- Level: EYFS 3-4
Objectives
- Identify country on map
- Follow 2–3 steps
- Recognise flag/colours
- Participate in discussion
Instructions
Materials
- A large red and white checkered picnic blanket.
- Plastic play food including baguettes, grapes, and cheese wedges.
- Small wicker baskets for carrying items.
- French accordion music or light cafe jazz.
- Napkins and child-safe plastic plates.
- Printed photos of the Eiffel Tower or a French park.
Learning Objectives
- Demonstrate basic social manners such as saying please and thank you during pretend play.
- Practise gross motor coordination by carrying items and setting up the picnic area.
- Identify France as a country with unique cultural traditions.
- Engage in cooperative play by sharing food items with peers.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Clear a space in the classroom and play soft French music to set the atmosphere.
2. Gather the children in a circle and show them the photos of a French park to introduce the concept of a picnic.
3. Demonstrate how to carefully carry a basket filled with play food across the room to the designated picnic area.
4. Invite children to take turns placing the blanket on the floor and arranging the plates and napkins.
5. Model how to offer a piece of play food to a friend while using polite phrases like please and thank you.
6. Encourage children to sit on the blanket and engage in a pretend conversation about their favourite foods.
7. Guide the children to practise passing items to one another to foster turn-taking skills.
8. Transition to cleanup by singing a song while children place the items back into the baskets.
Educator Tip
If children struggle with the social aspect, sit with a small group to model the dialogue yourself. You can extend this activity by adding real bread or fruit for a sensory tasting experience, which helps children connect the cultural theme to their own physical senses.
Assessment
- Observe if the child uses polite language during the pretend meal.
- Note the child's ability to carry items safely without dropping them.
- Record whether the child participates in the group setup and cleanup process.
Assessment
Observe and note: ability to follow two-step instructions, use of new vocabulary in context, early problem-solving strategies, and sustained shared thinking episodes. Assess against Development Matters age-band expectations. Checklist: participation, correct identification, completion of task.