EYFS – Being special: Where do we belong? PowerPoint Lesson 1

About this resource

The EYFS Unit 3, ‚”Being Special: Where Do We Belong?‚ is a thoughtfully designed teaching resource that introduces young learners to concepts of identity, belonging, and community within a religious and spiritual framework. Aimed at children in the Early Years Foundation Stage, the unit supports pupils as they begin to understand their own uniqueness and the ways people express love, welcome, and inclusion across different cultures and religious traditions.

The unit explores what it means to be ‚”special‚Äù through storytelling, role-play, and discussions about naming ceremonies, welcoming rituals, and family practices from various faiths, including Christianity, Islam, and Judaism. Children are encourages aged to reflect on their own experiences of being welcomed and valued, whether through birthdays, baptisms, baby naming traditions, or family customs.

Central to the unit is the idea that everyone belongs somewhere‚-to a family, a community, or a group. Pupils are gently introduced to religious ceremonies that mark these moments of belonging. Activities include creating “belonging” circles, drawing family portraits, listening to real-life stories, and enacting welcoming celebrations. These engaging and inclusive tasks help children appreciate diversity, while grounding their learning in personal experience and emotional literacy.

The unit links to key EYFS areas such as Personal, Social and Emotional Development, Understanding the World, and Communication and Language. Through active learning and guided reflection, children develop a deeper awareness of their own identities and learn to respect others‚” beliefs and traditions.

By focusing on belonging, community, and care, this unit nurtures empathy, confidence, and an early sense of spiritual and moral development. It sets a strong foundation for religious education in later years, helping pupils feel seen, valued, and connected to the wider world.