The Four Seasons Poster
Toddlers build classification skills.
- Framework: EYFS
- Unit: EYFS Summer Time
- Learning area: Understanding the World
- Level: EYFS Birth-2
Objectives
- Label seasonal objects
- sort by season with help.
Instructions
Materials
- Large poster board divided into four quadrants
- Pre-cut tactile items: cotton balls, silk leaves, artificial flowers, and small twigs
- Non-toxic, toddler-safe glue sticks
- Printed photographs representing each season
- A basket for sorting materials
Learning Objectives
- Recognise that the environment changes through different seasons.
- Develop fine motor skills by grasping and placing items on the board.
- Practise sensory exploration through touching different textures.
- Follow simple verbal directions during a group activity.
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prepare the poster board by labelling each quadrant with the name of a season and a corresponding colour.
2. Gather the children in a circle and show them the four quadrants of the poster.
3. Introduce one season at a time, using simple language to describe the weather, such as hot sun or cold snow.
4. Place the basket of tactile items in the centre of the circle to allow children to touch and investigate the textures.
5. Model the activity by applying glue to the spring quadrant and pressing a silk flower onto it.
6. Invite one child at a time to choose an item from the basket and assist them in placing it into the correct quadrant.
7. Use hand-over-hand guidance to help toddlers spread the glue if they struggle with the motion.
8. Narrate the process clearly, saying things like, "We are putting the soft cotton on the winter side."
9. Display the completed poster at the child's eye level to encourage ongoing observation.
Educator Tip
Keep the session brief, as toddlers have short attention spans. If a child loses interest, allow them to move away from the activity and return later. Focus on the sensory experience of the textures rather than the accuracy of the seasonal placement.
Assessment
- Observe if the child shows interest in the different textures provided.
- Note if the child can follow a simple instruction to place an item on the board.
- Record whether the child recognizes the difference between the four quadrants during the activity.
Assessment
Observe and note: sustained engagement, sensory responses, early vocalisations, and attachment behaviours. Document using the Characteristics of Effective Learning framework (Playing and Exploring). Participation, sorting attempts.