How do we find things out?

Image of workshop

Details

Age: Pre-school and Reception.

Available: All year, Wednesdays and Thursdays

Length: 60 minutes. Please allow more time after your visit to explore the galleries and public spaces.

Group size: minimum of 10 participants.

Key Skills

Communication, language and literacy, knowledge and understanding of the world

Workshop outline

This fun workshop introduces children to the idea of research by investigating the different ways we find things out. Using hands-on activities and object-handling, we will think about what a library is and how we sort items. Participants will also explore books, sounds and patterns on display in the galleries.

The workshop focuses on four key ideas:

  • We find things out by asking questions: Looking at maps and other items on display, we will ask questions about where we are. These questions will then lead to talking about connections and relationships between objects.
  • We find things out by looking them up: Using different examples of books for children to touch and feel, we will discuss the different shapes books can take. During this activity we will also do some sorting and categorising activities.
  • We find things out by guessing: We will use a short story book to ask 'what happens next?' We will be thinking about what has happened already, how stories work and what we remember, then guess what is about to happen.
  • We find things out by using our imagination: Taking inspiration from star patterns in the Sir John Ritblat gallery, we will work together to make pictures out of patterns.

The workshop ends by reminding the group of the different ideas that have been discussed and challenging them to think about other ways they can finds things out.

Pre-visit activities

Visit a library and try finding specific items (themed books, books with pictures, cassettes, toys). Talk about different ways of sorting things.

Post-visit activities

Reinforce the ideas discussed in the workshop by visiting your local library. Try out other ways of finding things out.

How to Book

Our How to Book page has further information about our booking process. To make your booking or for further information about our workshops, please contact the learning team on +44 (0)20 7412 7797 or email us at learning@bl.uk.