Passports Project
Toddlers develop global awareness through movement, repetition, and play. 'Passports Project' supports language growth and curiosity.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Around the World
- Learning area: Internationalism
- Level: EYFS 2-3
Objectives
- Label countries or symbols
- Imitate movements
- Match colours/shapes
- Follow 1-step directions
Instructions
Materials
- Small booklets made of folded sugar paper
- Washable ink stamp pads in various colours
- Pre-cut foam shapes or rubber stamps
- Child-safe glue sticks
- Printed photos of the children
- A globe or a large world map poster
Learning Objectives
- Recognise their own photograph as a representation of self.
- Develop fine motor skills through grasping stamps and gluing.
- Engage in sensory exploration of textures and ink.
- Build awareness of the concept of travel through visual aids.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Gather the toddlers in a circle and show them the globe. Point to different colours and describe them as places far away.
2. Distribute the blank paper booklets to each child. Help them glue their pre-printed photo onto the front cover.
3. Demonstrate how to hold a stamp by placing your hand over theirs to guide the movement.
4. Encourage the children to press the stamp onto the ink pad and then onto the pages of their booklet.
5. Narrate the process clearly by saying things like, you are making a mark in your passport.
6. Allow the children to explore the ink texture on their fingertips if they show interest, ensuring they do not ingest the materials.
7. Walk around the room with the children, pretending to travel to different corners of the classroom.
8. Stop at each corner to add a new stamp to their booklets to signify a arrival at a new destination.
9. Collect the passports at the end of the session to keep them safe for future travel activities.
Educator Tip
Toddlers have short attention spans, so keep the stamping portion of the activity brief and fast-paced. If a child becomes frustrated with the stamps, focus on the sensory aspect of the ink or simply allow them to decorate the cover with stickers instead.
Assessment
- Observe if the child can identify their own photo on the passport cover.
- Note the child's ability to grasp and manipulate the stamps with increasing control.
- Record if the child follows simple verbal cues during the travel simulation.
Assessment
Observe and note: emerging independence, two-word combinations, imitation of actions, and early pretend play. Use Development Matters non-statutory guidance checkpoints. Participation, imitation, early vocabulary attempts.