Foundation · History · Historical skills
How I have changed: past, present and future
Children compare photos and objects from when they were a baby with now, and use the words past, present and future to order events in their own life.
Awaiting educator review. This material was drafted by our content team with AI assistance and is waiting for review by a qualified educator. Please check it suits your child before using it. Created 10 October 2026.
Learning goals
Learners will
- Use the words past, present and future correctly.
- Put three events from their own life in time order.
Success looks like
- I can say something I could do in the past and something I can do now.
- I can put three pictures of me in order from oldest to newest.
- I can say something I might do in the future.
The big idea
The past is everything that has already happened. Yesterday is in the past. When you were a baby is in the past.
The present is now. Today, right now, you are learning about history.
The future is what has not happened yet. Tomorrow and your next birthday are in the future.
We all change as we grow. As babies we could not walk or talk. Now we can run, talk and help at home. Looking at old photos and baby things is one way historians find out about the past.
Putting events in order helps us understand our story. We can say first, next and last, or oldest to newest.
Worked examples
Ordering my photos
Put three photos of yourself in order: a baby photo, a photo from last year and a photo from today.
- Look for clues: How big are you? Can you stand or walk?
- Find the photo where you are smallest. That is first (the oldest).
- Find the photo from last year. That goes next.
- The photo from today goes last (the newest).
Answer: Baby photo, then last year's photo, then today's photo.
Past, present or future?
Sort these: 'I drank from a bottle', 'I am drawing', 'I will go to school next year'.
- 'I drank from a bottle' already happened, so it is the past.
- 'I am drawing' is happening now, so it is the present.
- 'I will go to school next year' has not happened yet, so it is the future.
Answer: Past: drank from a bottle. Present: drawing. Future: going to school next year.
Practice check
Have a go, then check your answers. Each answer comes with an explanation.
Answer guide for parents
When you were a baby is in the…
past — Being a baby already happened, so it is in the past.
Right now is called the…
present — The present is the time happening now.
Your next birthday is in the…
future — Your next birthday has not happened yet, so it is in the future.
Which photo is the oldest?
A photo of you as a baby — The baby photo was taken the longest time ago.
Which is something most children can do now but could not do as a baby?
Ride a scooter — Babies sleep, cry and drink milk, but they cannot ride a scooter.
Yesterday is in the ____.
past — Yesterday has already happened, so it is the past.
Tomorrow is in the ____.
future — Tomorrow has not happened yet, so it is the future.
First, next and ____.
last — We use first, next and last to put things in order.
Watch out for
- Young children often think 'the past' means a very long time ago only. Show that even this morning is in the past.
- Children may confuse 'oldest photo' with 'photo of the oldest person'. Explain that the oldest photo is the one taken longest ago.
Tips for parents
- If baby photos are not available (for example, in foster or adoptive families), use drawings, a growth chart or photos from more recent events instead.
- Use time words throughout the day: 'This morning, in the past, we had breakfast. Now, in the present, we are reading.'
- Keep the activity hands-on. Moving photos around is easier than drawing a timeline at this age.
Go further
- Make a 'Then and now' poster with a baby item next to something the child uses now.
- Trace around the child's hand and compare it with a baby hand-print or an older sibling's hand.
- Draw a picture of something the child hopes to do in the future.