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Acknowledgement Liz Hodgman

How can I extend the activity further?

• Provide a map of the world and another of your local area. Encourage the children to put stickers on the map of all the places the ‘bear’ has been. This may provide you with an opportunity when working with older children to discuss the distance the bear has travelled, how many places he has been etc.
• Instead of you choosing the bear, take the children along to a ‘bear factory’ and involve the children in the choosing and making of the bear. They may also be able to give him/her a name and print up a birth certificate.
• Purchase a selection of clothes for the bear. Discuss with the children before each holiday or outing what would be the most appropriate clothes for the bear to wear. Then support them to dress the bear. This will help develop their knowledge and understanding and fine motor skills.
• Purchase a small bag for the bear to use as his suitcase. Encourage the children to help you pack the suitcase with the right things for the holiday/outing. You could get the children to draw pictures of some of the things he will need to take, toothbrush, toothpaste etc.
• Make a passport for the bear, if he is going to go abroad. The children could also make their own passports. You could use a digital camera for the pictures or the children do self portraits.
• Take the teddy out on trips with the children yourself and encourage them to help record the outings in the book. Use photographs they have taken, pictures they have drawn etc. and then share them with the parents at home time.

TRAVELLING TEDDIES

Many settings, including pre-schools, nurseries and reception classes use ‘travelling teddies’ with their children. We think the idea works equally well in a Childminding setting.

Birth to three matters

A Strong Child- A Sense of Belonging-Valuing individuality and contributions of self and others.

A Skilful Communicator- Listening and Responding- Listening and paying attention to what others say/ Enjoying and sharing stories

A Skilful Communicator- Being together- Being with others/Encouraging conversations.

A Skilful Communicator- Finding a voice- Being a confident and competent language user

A Competent Learner-Making Connections-Finding out about the environment and other people.

A healthy Child- Emotional well-being-Valuing children’s race, cultural identity and gender

Foundation Stage Curriculum

Personal, social and emotional development-learning to respect others, about relationships and the importance of friendship.

Communication, language and literacy-opportunities to speak and listen, availability of print.

Mathematical Development-counting-how many outings has teddy had etc.

Knowledge and Understanding of the world-gathering information on other parts of the country/world, on others lives and cultures

Physical development-developing fine motor skills to dress teddy

Creative development-children have time to explore ideas   

Every Child Matters Outcomes

Staying healthy- make sure  your teddy has the appropriate clothing for the holiday and lots of sun protection cream to stop him burning. Has he packed his toothbrush and toothpaste?

Enjoying and Achieving- The children will love to share their experiences of looking after ‘Travelling Ted’ and be able to retell the adventures they have shared.

Making a positive contribution-This activity enables both the children and the parents to make a positive contribution to your Childminding setting and to the shared learning.

Staying Safe- The children learn about being responsible and looking after something belonging to someone else.

Organisation- You must make sure that all the children are given the opportunity to travel with teddy and that a good record is kept of his trips.

It doesn’t have to be a teddy!

My daughter took ‘Pog the Dog’ on holiday from school when she was in Year 1.

We would love to hear where your ‘teddies’ travel to. Why not email us your photos and details of where your ted has been and we will include them on the site. contact us

How does it work?

The Childminder purchases a teddy bear and a notebook. The children are encouraged to take the bear with them when they go on holiday, visit friends or relatives or go on a special outing/family event.

The parents are asked to record the event in the notebook and if possible include a photograph or postcard.

On the bears return to the Childminder the child is encouraged to share their experience and any photographs with the Childminder and the other children.
sample letter to parents

How does this help the child’s
learning and development?

This activity helps children to

learn and develop in a variety

of ways and we have linked them to

the Birth to three framework, Foundation Stage Curriculum and the Every Child Matters Outcomes.

The children:

extend their memory by recalling the event,

gain self-confidence in retelling their story,

learn to listen to others,

learn to share,

learn about the written word,

develop a sense of belonging and of being valued,

develop a greater knowledge and understanding  of others’ lives and the world.