A great way to assess children’s understanding of concepts that have been previously introduced to them, is to check whether they can identify named objects in their environment. With this Treasure Hunt, the children can take on the persona of pirates on the hunt for items which you can decide.

What You Will Need:

Here are some resources that you could use to make the activity as stimulating as possible, however, please use what is available to you!

• Tape
• Printed out images of objects that children need to search for
• Container of some kind as the treasure chest (Bucket/ box/ pot)
• Pirate role-play items (e.g. pirate eye patch/ pirate costume/ pirate face masks)

Doing the Activity:

To promote child voice, have a discussion about the items that could be placed onto the treasure chest. Adhering to the children’s opinions, teaches them that their opinions and choices are valuable enough to be listened to. This enables an activity that is both adult-initiated and child-centred.

For this activity, children can be split into mixed-ability groups. Working collaboratively is not only beneficial for developing children’s social skills, the advantage is for the children who are not as confident as they can gain understanding from their peers. However, it’s important to be extra observant during group activities in order to get a clear picture of each child’s ability.

This Treasure Hunt song in the tune of ‘We’re Going on a Bear Hunt’ will set the activity off just right. If it gets repetitive, why not play the timeless classic which is an EY crowd favourite ... if you haven’t guessed already, a clue is: “Let’s go hunt do, do, do, do do do”. This will keep children waiting occupied as they sing and dance. Prepare for the uproar!

Adapting the Activity:

For younger children, they could hunt for colours or simple shapes or a specific size, for example. Older children may hunt for items with a specific texture, or a specific number, or sound/letter. This activity can be done indoors or outdoors, at home or at your setting.

Tracking the Activity:

PSED:

Making Relationships

30-50 months: Can play in a group, extending and elaborating play ideas, e.g. building up a role-play activity with other children

40-60 months: Explains own knowledge and understanding, and asks appropriate questions of others

Self Confidence and Self Awareness

22-36 months: Expresses own preferences and interests.

30-50 months: Enjoys responsibility of carrying out small tasks.

40-60 months: Confident to speak to others about own needs, wants, interests and opinions.

Communication & Language:

Listening and attention

30-50 months: Is able to follow directions (if not intently focused on own choice of activity).

40-60 months: Maintains attention, concentrates and sits quietly during appropriate activity

Understanding

22-36 months: Developing understanding of simple concepts (e.g. big/little).

30-50 months: Responds to simple instructions, e.g. to get or put away an object.

40-60 months: Listens and responds to ideas expressed by others in conversation or discussion

Depending on the type of hunt the children choose, this activity can link to many other developmental areas (e.g. Maths, Literacy, EAD)!