Science·Matter & Materials·conceptual
Describing Material Properties
Describe simple physical properties of everyday materials such as hard/soft, stretchy/stiff, shiny/dull, rough/smooth, waterproof/absorbent, transparent/opaque
Suggested ages 5–6
Learning journey
Your child is exploring the materials around them — identifying different substances like wood, plastic, and metal, and discovering their properties such as whether they're hard or soft, rough or smooth.
Evidence of understanding
- Use at least five property words correctly: hard, soft, stretchy, shiny, rough, smooth, transparent, waterproof
- Describe the properties of three different materials using at least two property words each
- Explain why a property matters (e.g. 'waterproof means water doesn't soak through')
Assessment prompt
Can Describing Material Properties pick up different objects and describe their properties — like 'this is smooth and shiny' or 'this is rough and bendy'?
Standards alignment
Y1.Sci.EM.3GB · uk-nc-2013
Describe physical properties of materials
The national curriculum in England: Key stages 1 and 2 framework document · Key Stage 1