b'The NewsEarly Years SchoolYear 1 visit to MuiderslotYear 1 had an amazing time exploring Muiderslot Castle and learning about life in the Middle Ages. Comparing life then and now is a valuable lesson for children to learn. It helps them develop an appreciation for the challenges and differences faced by people in the past, and can inspire them to think creatively about how they would have lived if they were born in a different era.We walked around the castle gardens and looked at the flowers, vegetables and herbs that were grown. The children were excited to discover the dungeons and the medieval toiletsthey shared their curiosities and learnt about all aspects of history, even the more unusual or gruesome ones!The castle topic provided a range of classroom hands-on activities, such building their own castles and lots of roleplay, such as dressing up as castle dwellers, which really brought the topic to life. To conclude the topic, we held a dress-up day. It is always fun for children to use their imaginations, and it is a wonderful way to reinforce their understanding of the topic. We had Kings, Queens, Lords, Ladies, knights, gardeners, cooks, candlemakers, housekeepers, jesters and even a gong farmer spend the day with us. A very regal occasion!6'