What can I do at home to support my child with DT?

- complete projects at home

- ask your child about their learning in school

Websites that I could use at home

www.twinkl.com

https://www.theschoolrun.com/best-design-and-technology-home-schooling-resources

www.bbc.co.uk

Projects I could do at home

Design and make a model

Age range: EYFS

What you do: Explain to your child that they are going to build a house using boxes and other materials. First though, they need to design the house. Explain that before a house can be built, an architect has to draw what is to be built. They are to be architects! Let them draw the house then build their design. (If they’re using cereal boxes, turn them inside out if they want to paint them, that way the paint will stick.) Afterwards ask them what they like or dislike about the end result. They're learning about... Drawing and making models and reflecting on their work. At school they might… Do model building as part of free play time. (Early Years classes need to be stocked up with materials to use for modelling, so keep cardboard packaging and offer it to the class teacher!) As part of D&T they will experiment with different textures and shapes and try combining different materials.

Making a money box

Age range: EYFS and KS1

What you do: You’ll need a box or can which you can make a slot in at the top for the money to go in. Together, decide how to create a flap through which the money box can be opened. Your child can then choose from paints, collage materials, pastels, etc. to decorate their money box. They're learning about... Collecting, assembling and combining materials. At school they might… Make other forms of packaging (for example, lots of schools have children design and make a bag).

Make an egg cosy

Age range: KS2

What you do: Help your child choose a piece of fabric, then cut out two semi-oval shapes (two different fabrics can work nicely). They’ll need to use an egg to help them measure their fabric shapes, then sew them together, leaving a hole at the bottom where the egg goes. They're learning about... Measuring, marking out, cutting and shaping a range of materials, and assembling, joining and combining components and materials accurately. At school they might… Work on other textile projects as well as practising different stitch types.