Unit Plan 20 (PreK Social Studies): Change Over Time
Help preschoolers understand how things change over time by comparing toys, clothes, and technology from the past and present through pictures, stories, and play.
Focus: Help children notice and talk about change over time by comparing objects, clothing, and technology from the past and present using pictures, toys, and simple stories.
Grade Level: PreK
Subject Area: Social Studies (History • Inquiry)
Total Unit Duration: 5 sessions (one week), 15–20 minutes per session
I. Introduction
In this unit, children explore the idea that things change over time. They compare “then” and “now” using familiar examples like toys, clothes, and technology (phones, music players, TVs) in simple, concrete ways. Children practice noticing how objects looked long ago versus how they look today.
Through pictures, real objects, and conversations, children talk about how they themselves have changed since they were babies. By the end of the week, each child helps create a “Then and Now” page that shows one thing that has changed in their own life or in the world around them.
Essential Questions
- How can we tell something is from long ago or from now?
- What has changed about toys, clothing, and technology over time?
- How have we changed as we have grown?
- How can we use pictures and words to show what we notice about change?
II. Objectives and Standards
Learning Objectives — Students will be able to:
- Use basic time words like “when I was a baby” and “now” when talking about their own experiences.
- Compare at least one pair of objects (e.g., old vs. new phone, toy, clothing) and tell how they are different.
- Use pictures and conversations to share what they noticed or thought about change over time.
- Help create a simple “Then and Now” drawing or page that shows one change (self, object, or technology) with support.
Standards Alignment — PreK (C3-based custom)
- PK.C3.Hist.2 — Recognize change over time. Compares past and present experiences.
- Example: “When I was little, I had a crib.”
- PK.C3.Inq.3 — Use pictures and conversations to share learning. Draws or talks about what they notice, think, or learn.
- Example: Sharing a drawing of their neighborhood walk.
Success Criteria — Student Language
- I can say something about “when I was little” and what I do now.
- I can look at two things and tell how they are different (old vs. new).
- I can draw or talk about something that has changed over time.
- I can help make a “Then and Now” picture.