Curriculum Mapping 

Nature Exploration and Sensory Awareness:

• • Statement of What Matters: Encourage sensory exploration and creativity.

  • Description of Learning: Develop sensory awareness by exploring natural materials, textures, and colours.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from simple sensory exploration to creating basic nature art, fostering sensory awareness and creativity.

Outdoor Play and Creative Expression:

• • Statement of What Matters: Promote outdoor play and creative expression.

  • Description of Learning: Engage in imaginative play using the forest environment as a backdrop.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic outdoor play to more elaborate imaginative games and creative expression.

Nature Sound Exploration:

• • Statement of What Matters: Encourage exploration of natural sounds.

  • Description of Learning: Introduce children to the sounds of the forest, such as birdsong and rustling leaves, and encourage them to create simple rhythmic patterns using found objects.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic sound exploration to creating more complex rhythmic patterns, fostering an appreciation for natural sounds and rhythm.

Nature-Inspired Dance and Movement:

• • Statement of What Matters: Promote creative expression through movement.

  • Description of Learning: Encourage children to move and dance freely, expressing themselves through dance inspired by the forest environment.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic natural movement to more complex and creative nature-inspired dance, promoting physical expression and creativity.

Physical Activity and Nature Connection:

• • Statement of What Matters: Foster physical activity and a connection to nature.

  • Description of Learning: Engage in simple physical activities like running, jumping, and playing in the forest.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic physical activities to more coordinated movements and an enhanced connection to nature.

Emotional Awareness and Nature Mindfulness:

• • Statement of What Matters: Enhance emotional awareness and mindfulness.

  • Description of Learning: Explore and express emotions through nature experiences and simple mindfulness activities.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic emotional awareness to more advanced nature-based mindfulness techniques.

Nature Mindfulness and Breathing:

• • Statement of What Matters: Promote mindfulness and emotional well-being through nature.

  • Description of Learning: Introduce basic mindfulness techniques, such as simple breathing exercises, in the natural environment to help children develop emotional awareness.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic mindfulness techniques to recognizing and managing emotions and stress through nature-based practices.

Healthy Eating and Nature Connection:

• • Statement of What Matters: Encourage healthy eating habits and a connection to nature.

  • Description of Learning: Introduce simple concepts of healthy eating and the connection between natural foods and the forest environment.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic understanding of healthy eating to recognizing and choosing healthy food options inspired by nature.

Nature Language and Communication:

• • Statement of What Matters: Develop language and communication skills.

  • Description of Learning: Learn and use nature-related words and phrases.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic nature language to expanding vocabulary and simple nature-based communication.

Nature-Based Vocabulary Development:

• • Statement of What Matters: Develop language skills and vocabulary.

  • Description of Learning: Introduce new words related to the natural world, such as tree names, animal names, and nature features.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic vocabulary to expanding and using a broader range of nature-related words in everyday communication.

Nature Listening and Communication Skills:

• • Statement of What Matters: Foster listening and communication skills.

  • Description of Learning: Encourage children to listen actively to nature sounds and communicate their observations and feelings to peers and educators.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic listening and communication to more advanced skills in describing natural experiences and emotions.

Nature Stories and Narratives:

• • Statement of What Matters: Promote storytelling and narrative skills.

  • Description of Learning: Encourage children to create simple nature-based stories or narratives about their forest experiences.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic storytelling to more complex and imaginative narratives, fostering creative expression and narrative skills.

Nature Alphabet and Letter Recognition:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce basic literacy concepts.

  • Description of Learning: Introduce the alphabet and letter recognition through natural objects, such as leaves or sticks shaped like letters.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic letter recognition to identifying and understanding more letters and their sounds in the context of nature.

Nature-Related Symbols and Mark-Making:

• • Statement of What Matters: Encourage early writing and mark-making.

  • Description of Learning: Allow children to experiment with making marks and symbols using natural materials like mud, sand, or leaves.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic mark-making to more structured and symbolic writing in a nature-inspired context.

Nature-Based Multilingual Exploration:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce multilingual learning.

  • Description of Learning: Explore and learn nature-related vocabulary in both Welsh and English, promoting language diversity.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic vocabulary in multiple languages to more advanced language learning and communication skills.

Nature and Numeracy Exploration:

• • Statement of What Matters: Foster numeracy skills.

  • Description of Learning: Introduce basic counting and numeracy concepts using natural elements.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic counting to more advanced numeracy skills involving natural objects.

Nature Counting and Quantity Recognition:

• • Statement of What Matters: Develop basic counting and quantity recognition.

  • Description of Learning: Introduce counting and recognizing quantities using natural objects, like rocks or acorns.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic counting to recognizing and working with larger quantities in a natural context.

Nature Shapes and Patterns:

• • Statement of What Matters: Promote recognition of shapes and patterns.

  • Description of Learning: Encourage children to identify and create simple shapes and patterns using natural materials.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic shape recognition to identifying more complex shapes and creating intricate patterns in a natural setting.

Nature Measurement and Comparison:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce basic measurement and comparison.

  • Description of Learning: Explore measurement concepts by comparing the sizes, lengths, and weights of natural objects.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic measurement to more advanced comparison and estimation skills in a natural environment.

Nature-Based Problem Solving:

• • Statement of What Matters: Foster problem-solving skills.

  • Description of Learning: Engage children in solving simple mathematical challenges related to the forest environment, such as finding the tallest tree.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic problem solving to more complex mathematical challenges and critical thinking exercises.

Nature Counting and Estimation:

• • Statement of What Matters: Develop counting and estimation skills.

  • Description of Learning: Encourage children to estimate and count natural elements, such as fallen leaves or tree branches.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic counting and estimation to more accurate counting and estimation of larger quantities.

Nature-Based Math Symbols and Concepts:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce early mathematical symbols and concepts.

  • Description of Learning: Familiarize children with basic mathematical symbols and concepts, such as addition and subtraction, using natural objects.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic math symbols to an understanding of simple mathematical operations and concepts in a nature-inspired context.

Nature Discovery and Observation:

• • Statement of What Matters: Encourage scientific inquiry.

  • Description of Learning: Observe and investigate natural elements and simple outdoor phenomena.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic nature observation to developing curiosity and asking simple questions about the natural world.

Nature Investigation and Curiosity:

• • Statement of What Matters: Foster scientific curiosity and investigation.

  • Description of Learning: Encourage children to ask questions about the natural world and seek answers through simple experiments.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic curiosity to conducting simple, guided experiments and observations about nature, building a foundation for scientific inquiry.

Nature-Based Tools and Technology:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce simple nature-based tools and technology.

  • Description of Learning: Explore and use basic nature-inspired tools, such as sticks and rocks, to complete simple tasks.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from using basic tools to learning how to adapt and use natural materials for practical purposes, developing problem-solving skills.

Nature Recording and Technology Basics:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce basic technology in nature recording.

  • Description of Learning: Use simple recording devices like cameras or tablets to document natural discoveries and observations.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic documentation to understanding the role of technology in recording and sharing observations about nature.

Local Nature Exploration:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce local nature exploration.

  • Description of Learning: Begin exploring the local forest environment and its features.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic forest exploration to identifying and discussing simple aspects of the local environment.

Local Legends and Folklore Introduction:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce local legends and folklore.

  • Description of Learning: Share simplified stories and legends related to the forest and its surroundings.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from basic storytelling to understanding and sharing simplified local legends, fostering an appreciation for cultural heritage.

Basic Mapping and Orientation:

• • Statement of What Matters: Introduce basic mapping and orientation skills.

  • Description of Learning: Familiarize children with simple maps of the forest area and basic orientation concepts.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from understanding basic maps to simple navigation exercises in the forest, developing a foundation for spatial awareness.

Respect for Nature and Local History:

• • Statement of What Matters: Cultivate respect for nature and local history.

  • Description of Learning: Learn about the importance of caring for the environment and the history of the forest's role in the community.

  • Principles of Progression: Progress from understanding the importance of respecting nature to showing care for the forest and its historical significance.