Core Skills Analysis
Science
Emily observed changes in her own appearance by comparing baby photographs with what she saw in the mirror. She learned that living things grow and change over time, and that her body and abilities were different when she was a baby than they are now. By discussing what she could do at different ages, she began connecting physical development with learning and practice. This helped her understand that growth includes both how people look and what they are able to do.
Language Arts
Emily took part in a conversation about her past and present experiences, which supported her speaking and listening skills. She compared images and described differences, using words to explain what she noticed about herself at different ages. Talking about what she learned to do helped her organize ideas in time order, from babyhood to now. This activity strengthened her ability to express observations clearly and connect personal memories to language.
Mathematics
Emily used comparison skills as she looked at photographs and her reflection to notice how she had changed. She thought about earlier and later stages of her life, which introduced the idea of change over time and sequencing. Comparing what she could do at different ages also helped her make simple judgments about more or less ability. This built early reasoning skills that support sorting, comparing, and understanding order.
Personal Development
Emily explored her own identity by looking at pictures of herself as a baby and comparing them with her present self. She reflected on the things she had learned to do through being taught and practicing over time, which supported self-awareness and confidence. This activity helped her notice personal growth in a positive way and understand that skills develop gradually. It also likely encouraged curiosity and a sense of pride in how much she has learned.
Tips
To extend this learning, Emily could make a simple “then and now” collage with baby photos, current drawings, and short labels about what changed. You could also create a timeline of her life with a few key moments, such as first words, first steps, or things she can do now, to strengthen sequencing and memory. A mirror-and-drawing activity would be another great follow-up: Emily could draw her face, compare details with a photograph, and talk about similarities and differences. Finally, reading a book about growing up and changing over time would help her connect her own experiences to broader ideas about development.
Book Recommendations
- I Am Growing! by Aliki: A simple, classic book that helps young children understand how they grow and change.
- When I Was Little: A Four-Year-Old's Memoir of Her Youth by Jamie Lee Curtis: A child-friendly story about remembering early life and noticing growth over time.
- The Growing Story by Ruth Krauss: A gentle picture book that explores how children grow, change, and learn.
Learning Standards
- Science - Year 2: Living things and their habitats / growth and change - Emily compared how she looked and what she could do at different ages, showing understanding that humans grow and change over time.
- English - Spoken language - She discussed observations, described differences, and explained ideas about her own development.
- Mathematics - Measurement and comparison - Emily used comparison language and sequencing ideas to notice changes between babyhood and now.
- PSHE / Personal development - She reflected on her own growth, skills, and learning, supporting self-awareness and confidence.
Try This Next
- Draw a two-column chart labeled “Baby Emily” and “Emily Now” and list or sketch what is different.
- Ask: “What can Emily do now that she could not do as a baby?” and write 3 sentences together.
- Make a simple life timeline with 4 pictures showing Emily at different ages.
- Mirror challenge: draw Emily’s face while looking in a mirror and compare it to a photo.