The Geography Curriculum

Very simply, geography is about understanding the world by: comparing locations; investigating; researching different sources; writing and talking about places; asking and answering questions.

Early Years Foundation Stage (EYFS)

It may seem strange to think about your 4 or 5 year old child as a geographer. However, the years from birth to age five provide a first opportunity to see how your child interacts with their environment — and how the environment influences them. The early learning goals at EYFS aim to guide your child onto make sense of their physical world and their community by exploring, observing, and finding out about people, places, technology and the environment.

Key Stage 1

In Years 1 and 2, your child will be asked to begin to develop their geographical vocabulary by learning about where they live, as well as one other small area of the United Kingdom and a small area in a contrasting non-European country. They will learn about weather patterns in the United Kingdom and hot and cold areas of the world. They will use ICT, world maps, atlases and globes, simple compass directions, aerial photographs and plans, as well as simple fieldwork and observational skills. 

Key Stage 2

In Years 3 to 6, the geography curriculum retains some flexibility, and builds and expands on previous knowledge. There are three focus areas:

• Locational knowledge
• Place knowledge
• Human and physical geography
• Geographical skills and fieldwork 

Locational knowledge 

Your child will use maps to focus on Europe, North and South America, concentrating on regions, key physical and human characteristics, latitude, longitude, countries, and major cities. They will also work on locating the counties and cities of the United Kingdom, and start to explore their human and physical characteristics.

Place knowledge 

Children will also examine geographical similarities and differences by comparing the geography of a region of the United Kingdom with a region in a European country, and with a region in either North or South America. 

Human and physical geography

Your child will be taught to describe and understand key aspects of geography, for example: climate zones, rivers, mountains, volcanoes, earthquakes, the water cycle, types of settlement, economic activity and the distribution of natural resources.

Geographical skills and fieldwork

 Your child will use maps, atlases, globes, digital/computer mapping to locate countries describe features studied. They will use the eight points of a compass, four and six figure grid references, symbols and key (including OS maps) to build their knowledge of the UK and wider world. They will use sketch maps, plans, graphs and digital technologies to present, observe, measure and record data.

How can I support my child with geography?

The curriculum content may appear daunting, but don’t panic — you are already an accomplished geographer! Your daily life constantly provides you with rich geographical experiences, information and understanding. You think and act geographically, often without realising it. It comes naturally … as you navigate your way around your home and neighbourhood; as you make sense of local and world news; as you respond to the weather forecast, as you decide on a holiday location and how to get there.

When out and about in your local area, you can help your child geographically by chatting about local physical features, attractions and activities. You might even like to develop this idea by asking them to provide a tourist guide for their local area for visiting relatives.

On a journey, you can share the road map or map phone app with your son or daughter so they can follow the route while you talk about where you are going. Alternatively, ask them to draw a map of their journey to school or the local shop, including any natural or man-made features along the way.

Holidays are an ideal opportunity to compare the location with their home area — you might ask your child to talk through five similarities and differences, for example. Holidays also provide an opportunity for a museum visit or a trip to a tourist attraction.

Closer to home, use anything at your disposal! Magazines, TV, films and even some computer games can provide your child with a view of distant places. They enable your child to be transported instantly to another place. Prompt their thinking with questions, such as: What might the weather be like in this place? Why might the road have been built where it is? The list of questions is endless and will lead to all sorts of discussions which will really help to develop curiosity about, and understanding of, the world.

Further support and useful websites

The BBC Bitesize websites link to videos, games and information a wide range of geographical knowledge:

• EYFS
• Key Stage 1
• Key Stage 2

The Geographical Association is the leading organisation supporting geographical teacher in the UK. Their resources are available at:

• Geography.org.uk

The Royal Geographical Society has also published a wealth of resources to help teachers and parents:

• RGS.org