What is Busy Learning?

Our creative teaching and learning philosophy ensures children dynamically explore the whole curriculum, using both the inside and outside environment.

In Year 1 and 2 we continue to use the term ‘busy learning’ with the children. Busy Learning in Year 1 and 2 has a different purpose to the continuous and enhanced provision provided in the Early Years. Children are encouraged to experiment and practise knowledge and skills through the National Curriculum subjects.

What does busy learning look like in Year 1 and Year 2?

We continue to use the inside and outside learning environment for all subjects. Children have many opportunities throughout the day to busy learn.

We use busy learning to:

embed curriculum skills and knowledge
challenge learning
encourage collaboration and co-operation
develop resilience and self-help skills

Busy learning allows children opportunities to:

consolidate learning
problem solve
collaborate with their peers
take risks
learn through play
make their own decisions

Busy learning areas will always have:

carefully chosen fiction and non-fiction books to support the learning
a variety of resources so children are making their own decisions about some of their learning
activities that are guided by photos/words and simple sentences so children know the expectations
where practical “real” resources will be used
Clearly defined spaces

Busy learning – The inside learning environment

Small world related to a curriculum subject
Role play – allowing for imaginative themes, linked to reading or an interest or curriculum area e.g. history role play, retelling of traditional tales, role play real experiences – e.g. garden shop, museum tour guide
‘Busy hands’ opportunities to develop fine motor control and skills

Opportunities to practice knowledge and skills from the National Curriculum

Writing and reading opportunities within the topic or chosen for a specific reason

Practical maths activities applying already taught skills or offering opportunities for challenge

Art and design - rehearsing learnt skills or opportunities to express themselves and make their own choices

Design technology – practising and applying learnt DT skills – making, building, and designing

Computing – opportunities to practise learnt skills i.e. coding, searching for information on internet, programming software

Music – opportunities to practise skills learnt

Geography – using and applying mapping skills

Science – scientific enquiry and investigation

History – Using secondary resources to find out about the past

Busy learning – The outside learning environment

Role play – allowing for imaginative themes, linked to reading or an interest or curriculum area e.g. history role play, retelling of traditional tales, role play real experiences – e.g. garden shop, museum tour guide
Learning can be up-scaled to support gross motor skills e.g. big art (murals, group pieces), large construction (boxes, bricks, planks, pallets), PE skills (games, assault courses, skills)