Team Jerseys and Country Flags
Designing a jersey ties personal creativity to a country's identity. Children practise observation, colour matching and fine motor control while building a sense of team belonging used in later games.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Football Around the World
- Learning area: Visual Arts
- Level: EYFS 3-4, Reception
Objectives
- Identify the colours and patterns of national flags
- Use fine motor skills to colour, cut and decorate
- Express pride in a chosen team
Materials
- Blank paper jersey templates
- Crayons, markers, paint
- Country flag reference cards
- Scissors and tape
Instructions
Spread flag reference cards across the tables - Brazil's yellow and green, Argentina's blue and white stripes, Japan's red circle, Ghana's red, gold and green, Germany's three bands, and so on. Each child chooses one country to support throughout the unit. Give them the blank jersey template and invite them to copy the colours and patterns of their country's flag onto the front of the jersey. Add a number on the back. Once decorated and dried, cut out the jerseys and tape a string to wear them as bibs during later soccer activities. Gather as a group and each child holds up their jersey: 'I play for !' The class cheers each country in turn.
Educator tip
Pre-cut jersey shapes for Level 1. Offer paint sponges for younger children to make filling large flag areas faster.
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. Look at colour matching to the flag, completion of decoration, and ability to name the chosen country.