Early Years Introducing Amphibians and Reptiles for Early Years Jump to: Curriculum Links Table | Background knowledge | What Are Amphibians? | What Are Reptiles? | Outdoor Sessions | Post Visit Work | Tadpole Pack | Personalised Support Welcome to the Early Years Section, designed specifically for educators and learners engaging with the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). This resource provides a collection of thoughtfully planned sessions that align with early years outcomes, ensuring young learners have rich, hands-on learning experiences. Each session can be delivered independently or in succession, offering flexibility to meet the unique needs of your classroom. At the heart of this section is the Tadpole Pack—a comprehensive guide that introduces children to the wonders of nature, fostering curiosity and environmental awareness through interactive activities. Whether you're exploring life cycles or developing early science skills, this resource is tailored to support you every step of the way. Curriculum Links Table The table below outlines how the activities and resources provided by ARC Education align with the Expected Outcomes (EOs) across the eight curriculum areas of the Scottish Curriculum for Excellence (CfE). Designed to assist with lesson planning, the table highlights how each preliminary activity, outdoor session, and post-visit task supports specific EOs, helping educators achieve key learning outcomes. By using this guide, you can create a comprehensive programme of study that contributes to the broad general education outlined in the CfE. Download Curriculum Links Table Back to top Background Knowledge Very young children are learning about what is alive, was once alive or non-living. How plants are different from animals and how there are cycles of life and how one living thing depends on another. Learning through simple examples and well-known species, children can quickly get to grips with the basis of biodiversity. In Scotland we have six different species of amphibians and four species of reptiles. Children will be highly familiar with the images of frogs and toads and of snakes and lizards from pictures, stories, films, television and toys. Some children may have seen an amphibian or reptile in their garden or out on a family walk. To begin this session share stories and experiences as a group, using the pictures of different species. Download Photo Pack (Lifecycle images go here once they are ready) Back to top What Are Amphibians? Introduce children to the life and habits of frogs and toads through simple games and activities. Compare how they breathe, hop, and grow, and help children understand the unique traits of amphibians. Explore What Are Amphibians? Back to top What Are Reptiles? Meet the common lizard and slowworm, and discover what makes reptiles unique. Explore their movements, scales, and diet with interactive games like "What Does the Lizard Want for Dinner?" and "Move Like a Lizard." Children will craft lizard models, test water resistance in materials, and learn about reptile babies. Explore What Are Reptiles? Back to top Outdoor Sessions Take your learning outside with pond dipping! Observe tadpoles, efts, frogs, and toads, and explore the pond habitat. Includes a fun Camouflage Game, dragonfly game, and quiet observation activities. Explore Outdoor Sessions Back to top Post Visit Work Use pond-dip creatures to explore food chains and food webs. Children will create a "frog's dinner" plate and predator plate, using animal cut-outs from your pond dip. This session also incorporates maths with counting activities and science lessons on food chains and life cycles. Explore Post Visit Work Back to top Tadpole Pack The Tadpole Pack is a specially designed resource for Early Years Level 1 classes, providing a fun and engaging way to explore local ponds and the diverse life they support. This pack introduces young learners to the world of amphibians—frogs, toads, and newts—highlighting their importance to pond ecosystems and their role in biodiversity. Using simple science concepts, the Tadpole Pack helps children observe and learn about these fascinating creatures, making it easy to connect classroom learning with real-world experiences. Perfect for springtime exploration, it encourages children to look beyond familiar pets and everyday animals, offering a hands-on approach to discovering some of our most visible wild neighbours. To download the Tadpole Pack and request a physical copy of the resources, visit our Tadpole Pack page to learn more. Download in EnglishDownload in Gaelic Back to top Personalised Support For tailored assistance with integrating amphibian and reptile education into your classroom, reach out to Janet Ullman, our SSAAR Education Officer at ARC. Whether you need help designing a lesson that fits your curriculum, arranging a workshop for your students, or have specific questions about our resources, Janet is here to assist. Contact Janet directly at [email protected] for more information and to explore how we can support your educational goals. Back to top Manage Cookie Preferences