Year 1 Design and Technology Resources

Popular Year 1 DT Schemes of Work:

Frequently Asked Questions about Year 1 Design and Technology

What is taught in Year 1 Design and Technology?

In Year 1 Design and Technology, children begin to learn how to design, make and evaluate simple products for a particular purpose and user. They explore existing products, communicate their ideas through drawings and models, select appropriate tools and materials, practise practical skills and think about how their finished products could be improved.

What DT topics are suitable for Year 1?

Year 1 DT topics can include structures, mechanisms, textiles and cooking and nutrition. Children might design and make simple moving pictures using sliders and levers, construct freestanding structures, create simple textile products or prepare healthy food. Projects should give children opportunities to work through the design, make and evaluate process.

What does the Year 1 DT curriculum include?

Year 1 forms part of the KS1 Design and Technology National Curriculum. Across Years 1 and 2, children should learn to design purposeful products, communicate their ideas, select and use tools and materials, explore different mechanisms and structures, evaluate products and develop their understanding of food and nutrition.

What are some good Year 1 DT activities?

Good Year 1 DT activities are practical, purposeful and achievable for young children. Activities might include making moving pictures, designing a simple vehicle, building a stable structure, creating a textile product or preparing food. Wherever possible, children should be given a design brief or problem to solve rather than simply copying a finished example.

How do you teach the design process in Year 1?

Keep the design process simple and practical. Children can begin by exploring an existing product or discussing a problem, then generate ideas through talking, drawing or modelling. They can choose materials and tools, make their product and finally evaluate what worked well and what they might change. This introduces the core design, make and evaluate cycle used throughout primary DT.

What mechanisms should Year 1 children learn about?

At KS1, children should explore and use mechanisms such as levers, sliders, wheels and axles. In Year 1, these can be introduced through practical investigation and simple DT projects that allow children to see how mechanisms create movement.

What should Year 1 children learn about structures?

Children can investigate how structures are made stronger, stiffer and more stable. They might explore different ways of joining materials, test freestanding structures and use what they discover when designing and making their own products.

Is cooking and nutrition part of Year 1 DT?

Yes. Cooking and nutrition is part of the Design and Technology curriculum. At KS1, children should begin to understand where food comes from and use the basic principles of a healthy and varied diet to prepare dishes. Year 1 activities can introduce safe food preparation, simple techniques and opportunities to taste and evaluate ingredients.

What resources are included in PlanBee Year 1 DT lessons?

PlanBee Year 1 DT lesson plans and schemes of work provide the resources needed to teach a sequence of lessons, including detailed lesson plans, teaching slides, differentiated activities and printable resources. Projects support children as they investigate, design, make and evaluate while developing practical DT skills.

How can I assess Design and Technology in Year 1?

Assessment can take place throughout a DT project by observing how children generate ideas, select and use tools and materials, apply practical skills and evaluate their work. Discussion, design work, finished products and children's explanations can all provide useful evidence of their developing knowledge and skills.