ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses a range of practical activities that will support children’s learning of everyday materials and an appreciation of the role of the practitioner in the development and provides a knowledge of the key concepts in materials and how children’s understanding of these concepts can be developed. It explores how play can support children’s development of scientific skills and examines ideas for design and make activities in the context of everyday materials. In nurseries and schools many opportunities exist for children to learn about materials through play. There are many possibilities for exploratory play that will support children’s development and understanding of everyday materials. In Scotland children in the early years select materials for different purposes and choose appropriate materials to solve practical challenges. Links between human actions and environmental concerns can be formed by getting pupils to consider what happens to their waste materials in the classroom.
