This half term, Year 1 have been busy developing their historical knowledge by learning about the history of our local area, with a particular focus on Bushey High Street. The children have thoroughly enjoyed discovering how shopping and daily life have changed over time.
As part of our learning, we explored what Bushey High Street might have looked like in the past and compared it to the high street we know today. We learnt that shops used to be much smaller and often specialised in selling just one or two types of product. The children discovered a range of traditional shops, including fishmongers, bakers, cobblers and haberdasheries, and enjoyed finding out about the important roles these shops played within the community.
We also discussed how shopping habits have changed over the years. In the past, people tended to shop little and often rather than completing one large weekly shop. This was partly because cars had not yet become common, meaning that many people travelled on foot or by horse and cart. As a result, they could only carry a small amount of shopping at a time.
The children were fascinated to learn about inventions that helped change the way people shopped. We explored how the development of refrigerators and freezers allowed families to keep food fresh for longer. This meant people no longer needed to visit shops every day and could begin to buy larger quantities of food less frequently. At the same time, shops started to stock a wider range of products, making shopping even more convenient.
Throughout the topic, the children have developed their historical enquiry skills by using a variety of sources to learn about the past. They have examined old photographs of Bushey High Street, watched videos, discussed similarities and differences between past and present, and asked thoughtful questions about how life has changed over time.
We have been incredibly impressed by the children’s curiosity, enthusiasm and ability to think like historians. They have enjoyed comparing the past with the present and understanding how inventions, transport and local businesses have shaped the way we live today.
How to Help at Home
You can support your child’s learning by:
- Taking a walk along Bushey High Street and discussing the different types of shops you can see.
- Looking at old family photographs and talking about how shopping and daily life may have changed since they were taken.
- Asking older family members about the shops they remember visiting when they were children.
- Discussing how your family shops today and comparing this with how people shopped in the past.
- Encouraging your child to spot examples of specialist shops, such as bakeries, and compare them with larger supermarkets.
- Looking for old photographs of Bushey online or in local history books and discussing what has changed and what has stayed the same.