50 THINGS PRIMARY – THE JOURNEY CONTINUES

We're growing! Read more about the expansion of 50 Things and our new offer to Primary school age children.

Author - Lynette Clapham

10 Minute read

Since the launch, in 2018, in Bradford, 50 Things to do Before You’re Five is now available in 17 other local authorities, with more to follow.

 

As many of the first children to use 50 Things began to think about their first year of primary school, the question was raised – what next? What can we do to help families, schools and organisations support children in developing social skills and prepare for future success?

 

And with that, conversations for 50 Things Primary began. Like 50 Things to do Before You’re Five, this new resource will help parents and carers recognise the vital role that they play in helping to realise their children’s potential, and enable children to become increasingly independent in their own decision making. Funded by the DfE, the newest member of the 50 Things family will help every child develop life skills that support social mobility through local low cost and no cost activities.

 

National Consultation

Over a period of four weeks, the team coordinated a national consultation across 6 regions with 25 organisations including parent groups, schools, after school clubs, and holiday clubs. From Scotland to East Sussex, Bradford to Bedford, the enthusiasm for 50 Things Primary was clear from the start. As the consultation closed, we had more than 680 ideas and contributions towards the development of 50 Things Primary. What an incredible response!

 

Following a focused shortlisting meeting we agreed our final 50 activities. Where possible, we made links with the original ideas, designing groups of experiential activities which can be accessed by any child within the primary age, with the intention they will engage with them more than once. Whilst considering research around social mobility, accessibility, playfulness and locality, the shortlisting wasn’t an easy task, but with our content writers keen to get writing, we kept our foot on the gas.

 

What next?

Our new Twitter has now been launched. You can find us @50TTDPrimary and follow our journey as we prepare to launch for September. We have a new logo for you to look out for and our new app is under development.

 

Our team of content writers are now busy choosing their words carefully as they write the instruction and direction for each of the activity groups. Unlike 50 Things to do Before You’re Five, the app content is written for the child, with additional support for adults and families with children with SEND on the website. A clear quality assurance process will follow, as the content will then be dropped into the website and app, ready for launch later this year.

 

With every conversation, every email, and every video call, it is clear to see the wonderful work that goes on in Bradford by some incredibly talented professionals. As we look towards the City of Culture 2025, there will be so much more available on our doorsteps. What an exciting time to be a child in Bradford!

 

If you want to know more about 50 Things Primary, contact us at info@50thingstodo.org and a member of the team will get in touch