D&T in Primary Education

Design and Technology is a practical and creative activity that provides for young children opportunities to:

• explore the widest range of materials and processes to make things of quality that work;
• understand the importance of precision and working carefully;
• develop their knowledge and understanding of all subjects of the curriculum and, in particular, maths, science, ICT and art;
• develop skills and confidence in talking to others and writing about what they have done;
• make sense of the 'made world' that surrounds them;
• work individually and in teams;
• work safely;
• enjoy a motivating learning experience . . . . . and have fun!

In addition to specific D&T skills, D&T can contribute to the Early Years curriculum by:

• Providing a real purpose for naming and labelling;
• Encouraging children to talk about what they have made;
• Encouraging sorting and counting skills;
• Requiring routines to be followed correctly;
• Giving opportunity to help each other and work in pairs and groups;
• Developing persistence and the ability concentrate;
• Developing fine motor skills;
• Providing a creative medium;
• Prompting questioning and investigation;
• Using ICT to produce images and text to help with their designing and making.