Learning Outcomes
Pocket Panda worksheets don’t just look colourful and fun; they are designed to have real educational outcomes for the benefit of your little learner.
All schools and childcare providers in the UK have to follow the Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS) statutory framework, so that’s what we have done too!
Every product in the Panda Store clearly shows which elements of EYFS it covers. Every product also has a list of specific learning outcomes, which are described in more detail below.
Learning is fun!
Matching
Matching is more than just a fun game; it is the basis for so much learning. It is an entry to maths and excellent for vocabulary, reading, writing and expressing ideas. Matching shapes helps children as they begin to learn letters and words. Other benefits include repetition, identifying similarities and differences and improved concentration.
Fine Motor Skills
Fine motor skills develop throughout childhood, so it is important to begin FMS activities at the earliest opportunity. Lots of early schooling will involve handling pens and pencils so the coordination of thumb and fingers is important. Pre-writing training and the movement of small pieces in matching activities are also good for FMS.
Learning your own name
It is important for your child to learn to say, spell and write their own name — it is something they will be asked to do a lot when they begin school. Knowing their own name can increase confidence and self-importance. It also helps them understand community, by hearing and seeing the different names of those around them.
Spelling
There is a clear connection between spelling and higher level literacy. Spelling helps in communication. It is also important to pass assessments in childhood and beyond. English spelling and grammar can be complicated, so becoming more familiar with words is crucial.
Learning Colours
In daily life we use colour as a key way to categorise and classify. Different things have different colours (a carrot or an avocado) but also the same thing can have different colours, such as an apple. This is a key element in learning to sort and classify. Learning colours is also very good for vocabulary.
Categorisation
Forming categories helps make sense of the world: we can easily decide what is big or small, tasty or disgusting, safe or dangerous. It is important children learn to categorise in a number of ways, for example a blue shirt could be grouped with blue items or with items of clothing. Categorising helps children form patterns, which are crucial in all areas of early learning.
Learning letters
The alphabet contains the building blocks of our language, written, spoken and heard. Learning and recognising letters, both in alphabetical order and mixed, is crucial in becoming literate. Letter recognition is important because it enables beginning readers to figure out how printed text is associated with the spoken language.
Learning numbers
Simple numbers form the basis of numeracy and mathematics. It is important that children gain a good sense of numbers, initially the digits from 0 to 9 and then the numerals from 10 to 20. Numbers should be learned both in and out of order.
Learning Shapes
We use shapes as a key way to categorise and classify and as such the learning of shapes is widespread in early education. Different things have different shapes (a wheel or a box) but also the same thing can have different shapes, such as a dinner plate. Learning shapes is also very good for vocabulary. In writing, all letters and digits are essentially combinations of different lines and shapes.
Learning fruits and vegetables
As well as being an interesting and vibrant category of objects, of various shapes, sizes and colours, learning about fruit and vegetables at an early age is important for a lifetime of healthy eating.
Pre-writing
Pre-writing activities are a key stepping stone to writing true letters and numbers, as well as being an important activity in building fine motor skills. Pre-writing generally involves the different lines and shapes which, in combination, form letters and numbers. Strong writing skills have been linked to the development of reading and to later academic success.