Transport and space are popular interests in early childhood, and spacecraft combine both! Spacecraft have many different names and purposes.
Children may refer to spacecraft as space ships, spacerockets, rocketships, satellites or UFOs.
Some are designed to explore outer space while others transport goods, monitor the weather on Earth, or help with telecommunications.
EYLF learning outcomes
The Early Years Learning Framework has the learning outcome of children being connected with their world (2). Spacecraft connect children to technologies. Dramatic play with space rockets encourages curiosity, imagination (4.1) problem solving and experimenting (4.2).
Learning experiences
Role play being an astronaut
Children can make and dress up in astronaut costumes to role play different scenarios in space, like taking off in a rocket, orbiting the Earth, and landing on the moon.
Make a rocket
Using materials such as cardboard, paper cups, straws and masking tape, children can design and build their own rockets. Can you pretend to launch yours into space?
Tell a story
Journeys into space make great stories. Ask children to make up and tell you their own story. Also, look for more ideas on Edly's storytelling page.
Learning environments
Set up a space station
Children can use cardboard boxes and resources from their home corner to set up a space station in their classroom, complete with compartments for different functions such as sleeping, eating, and conducting experiments.
Explain how and why children need to move around, assuming there is no gravity in their space station.
Events
- 12 April is International Day of Human Space Flight
- World Space Week is in October
Resources
Music
Super fast rocket by Musical Muscles
Websites
Curious Kids: How does a spaceship get into space?