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History

Old and New

Overview

Children sort objects or pictures into two groups: old and new, explaining their choices.

Learning Objective
Children distinguish between old and new objects and begin to understand that things change over time.

Resources needed

  • A selection of old and new objects or pictures (e.g. old coin and new coin, old shoe and new shoe)

Lesson stages

0 / 7 done
  1. 1 Show two objects — one clearly old, one clearly new.
  2. 2 Ask: which is older? How do you know?
  3. 3 Children sort a small collection into old and new.
  4. 4 Discuss: how can you tell something is old? (worn, faded, different style).
  5. 5 Ask: was everything new once?
  6. 6 Look around the room — point to something old and something new.
  7. 7 Ask: what things in your home are very old?

Tap a step to mark it as done.

Variations

  • Bring in a family object with a story — who owned it before?
  • Sort pictures of buildings, clothes, or tools from different times.
  • Make a simple zigzag book: draw something old and something new on each page.
More information

Teach: old, new, worn, faded, changed, before, long ago. Hold up old and new versions of the same object side by side for clear comparison.

Use very contrasting objects first — a crumbling stone versus a bright new pencil. Move to more subtle comparisons once the concept is clear.

Can children give a reason for their sorting decision beyond just 'it looks old'? Do they understand that old objects were once new?

Use objects from the classroom — a worn book versus a new one, an old stone versus a new brick. No specially prepared materials needed.

Children often think old means broken or dirty. Clarify that old just means made or used a long time ago — something can be old and still in good condition.

Distinguishing old from new is the first step toward understanding historical change. It builds the concept that the world was different in the past.

Activity details
Early Years Easy 15–20 minutes 5 minutes prep Whole Class, Small Group Indoor & Outdoor
Topics
Change Over Time Old And New Observation