Safari Adventure

Imaginary experiences allow children to visit places they may never see in person. When imagination is supported by authentic sounds, images, and geographic learning, children develop a sense of the wider world and their connection to it. Creating decorated maps provides a tangible connection to geographic learning.

Framework: EYFS
Unit: EYFS At the Zoo
Learning area: Understanding the World
Level: EYFS 3-4, Reception

Objectives

Participate in an imaginary safari experience
Identify animals and describe their characteristics
Develop awareness of African geography and locate the continent on a map
Create artwork representing Africa and its wildlife

Materials

"Starry Safari" written by Linda Ashman
Large pictures of African animals
Animal sounds (available online or through apps)
Large-scale world map or globe
Outline maps of Africa for colouring
Crayons and animal stickers or pictures for map decoration

Instructions

Begin by reading "Starry Safari" by Linda Ashman. This gentle book follows a child on a nighttime safari adventure, introducing African animals in a dreamy context. After reading, discuss what children imagine a safari might be like.

Explain that today you will all go on an imaginary safari together. Play recordings of animal sounds to create an immersive atmosphere. Dim the lights slightly to enhance the adventurous feeling. Sit in a circle with large animal pictures displayed around the group.

Play the safari guide, spotting animals and pointing them out to your fellow travellers. Speak in an excited whisper: "Look over there! I see a huge elephant near the watering hole. See its long trunk and big ears?" Discuss that animal's characteristics before moving on to "spot" another animal.

Invite children to take turns as the safari guide, spotting and describing animals they see. Encourage the use of characteristic vocabulary: "I see a tall giraffe with spots on its fur!"

After the safari, gather around your world map or globe. Explain that safaris are very popular in Africa because of the beautiful savanna and all the amazing animals that live there. Locate Africa and discuss that it is one of the seven continents. Point out that Africa is actually made up of many different countries.

Distribute outline maps of Africa for children to colour. Provide animal stickers or small pictures for children to paste onto their maps, creating personalised representations of African wildlife.

Educator tip

Create a photo slideshow of real African safari images to enhance the imaginary experience. Consider playing African music softly during the map colouring activity.

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. Observe each child's ability to concentrate and participate in the pretend safari. Note their capacity to name an animal or more and at least one characteristic for each. Assess their ability to colour in the African map and place animals appropriately.