Last week, we went to visit the RAF Museum in Hendon on a beautiful sunny day! This trip linked perfectly to our recent learning about the history of flight from last half term, and it was wonderful to see the children bringing their knowledge to life.
There was so much excitement as we explored the exhibits. Seeing a real biplane up close was amazing and then we were even more impressed when we spotted a triplane! As we moved around the hangars, we discovered a wide range of helicopters, planes, and other vehicles that play an important role in the work of the RAF. One highlight was seeing a helicopter that had been used to fly members of the Royal Family.
We also had time to enjoy the flight-themed playground, which was a great opportunity to burn off some energy and continue the aviation theme through play. Later, we took part in an engaging workshop all about the materials used to make planes. The children explored a variety of objects, using their senses to identify what they were made from and describing key properties such as smooth, strong, flexible, and rough.
To build on this learning, we went on a material hunt around the museum, spotting different materials used in aircraft and pilot uniforms. It was fantastic to see the children making connections and applying their understanding in a real-world context.
We were so proud of how much the children remembered from our previous learning. It was a joy to see their curiosity, enthusiasm, and confidence grow throughout the day!
How you can support learning at home:
- Explore materials together: Look around your home for objects made from different materials (metal, plastic, fabric, wood) and discuss their properties—are they strong, flexible, smooth, or rough?
- Learn about flight: Watch videos or read books about the history of flight, including early aircraft like biplanes and modern aeroplanes.
- Design and build: Encourage your child to design and create their own model aeroplane using recycled materials, thinking carefully about which materials would be best and why.