Animals Including Humans Scientific Knowledge

Introduction
This guidance has been provided to help you develop a broader knowledge of the concepts in this area of science and not
just of the content taught in year 3. Year 3 children do not necessarily need to be taught the science knowledge detailed
below; this is background information that will help you to anticipate and answer questions that the children may pose.
Alongside this, we have also provided some examples of the possible misconceptions that the children may have.

Possible Child
Lesson Scientific Knowledge
Misconceptions
Lesson 1 This lesson aligns with the government and NHS Eatwell Guide (2016) Some children may
Eating a Balanced recommendations. For further details, please see the official NHS and believe that eating no
Diet UK Government Eatwell Guide webpages. fat at all is healthiest.
It is helpful to
Rather than labelling foods as ‘healthy’ or ‘unhealthy’, we encourage explain that fat is
the use of language that focuses on making healthier choices and a vital nutrient that
aiming for a balanced diet. This supports a more inclusive and provides energy and
nuanced understanding of nutrition and avoids oversimplifying supports essential
complex dietary information. It also helps children to develop body functions.
a healthy relationship with food, supporting positive body image Children can also
and mental wellbeing. be introduced to the
difference between
It’s important to recognise that everyone has different dietary needs
saturated and
based on age, health, lifestyle, culture and individual choices. There
unsaturated fats,
is no single ‘right’ way to eat – what matters is balance over time and
with an emphasis
understanding how different foods contribute to our overall health.
on choosing
The Five Main Food Groups: unsaturated fats
more often.
The Eatwell Guide groups foods with similar nutritional values together.
These food groups are: Children may initially
group foods only
• potatoes, bread, rice, pasta and other starchy carbohydrates as ‘healthy’ or
• dairy and alternatives ‘unhealthy’. They
should be supported
• oils and spreads
in understanding that
• beans, pulses, fish, eggs, meat and other proteins all foods can play a
role in a balanced
• fruit and vegetables diet and that different
The Eatwell Guide published by the UK government in 2016 shows the foods provide
recommended proportions of food groups for a balanced diet. (This different nutrients.
replaces the older Eatwell Plate model.) It includes five main food Rather than labelling
groups and also shows foods that are higher in fat, salt and sugar foods as good or
outside of the main circle. bad, encourage
discussion about
These foods are not ‘bad’ but are shown separately because they balance, variety and
are not essential in the diet and typically provide fewer key nutrients. moderation.
However, they can still be enjoyed occasionally and in small amounts
as part of a balanced diet. Teaching this message supports children to Children may not
understand moderation, make informed choices and enjoy a positive realise that water
relationship with food. is a nutrient. It’s
important to teach
Understanding Nutrients: that water plays
an essential role
Many foods are sources of multiple nutrients and could technically in keeping our
fall into more than one group. Teaching children about nutrients rather bodies healthy,
than just food types helps develop their understanding of nutrition. The including supporting
key nutrients include: digestion, circulation
and temperature
regulation.

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carbohydrates – a source of energy found in foods such as bread,
pasta and fruits

protein – supports growth and repair and can be found in meat, fish,
eggs and beans

fats – provide energy, protect organs and support cell functions and
are found in oils, nuts and seeds (with unsaturated fats being the
healthier choice)

minerals – support bone health, blood function and other bodily

systems and are found in foods such as leafy greens, meat and dairy

vitamins – essential for growth, immune health and energy

metabolism and are found in fruits, vegetables and dairy

fibre – helps digestion and regulates blood sugar and can be found in
whole grains, fruit, vegetables and legumes

water – vital for hydration, digestion and circulation and includes plain
water, lower-fat milk and sugar-free drinks such as tea or coffee

Teaching about nutrient functions helps children develop the skills to

make informed food choices and understand why different food types
are important to include as part of a balanced lifestyle.

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 Animals Including Humans Scientific Knowledge

Possible Child
Lesson Scientific Knowledge
Misconceptions
Lesson 2 Many pre-packaged foods feature a front-of-pack label that displays Children may
Comparing Food key nutritional information per serving. These labels often include assume that if a
Labels reference intake values, which represent guideline daily amounts for product displays
nutrients such as energy (calories), fat, saturated fat, sugar and salt. nutrition claims like
The percentages shown help you understand how a portion of the food ‘low fat’ or ‘source
contributes to an average adult’s daily intake. of vitamins’ it must
be a healthier choice
Energy: overall, even if it is
high in sugar or salt.
Energy, measured in kilocalories (kcal), is needed by the body to
It’s important to help
function and stay active. The amount of energy someone needs each
them understand
day varies depending on factors such as age, sex, height, weight and
that nutrition labels
activity levels.
highlight just parts
General reference values suggest that: of the picture and it’s
helpful to consider
• adult women need around 2,000 kcal/day all the information
provided.
• adult men need around 2,500 kcal/day
Children may think
For children, needs vary as they grow:
that the nutrition
• toddlers (1–3 years): ~1,000–1,300 kcal/day label refers to the
whole packet, rather
• children (4–8 years): ~1,400–1,800 kcal/day than a suggested
serving size or 100g
• older children and teens: ~1,800–2,500+ kcal/day amount. This can
Eating more energy than your body uses over time can result in weight lead to confusion
gain, while consistently consuming too little may lead to tiredness about how much
and nutritional imbalances. Everyone’s needs are different and of a nutrient (like
it’s important to fuel your body in a way that supports your overall sugar, fat or calories)
wellbeing. they are actually
consuming. Teaching
Fat: them to check how
many servings are
Fat is an essential nutrient that supports cell function, protects organs in a pack supports
and helps the body absorb vitamins. The recommended daily intake for better understanding.
fat is around 70g/day for women and around 90g/day for men.
Children may think
Most of the fat we eat should come from unsaturated fats (e.g. nuts, that all fat is bad or
seeds, fish and vegetable oils), with saturated fats (e.g. butter, fatty that sugar always
meat) eaten in smaller amounts. Reference intake for saturated fat is gives energy and
up to 20g/day for women and up to 30g/day for men. is therefore a good
thing. This can lead
Sugar:
to the belief that
The NHS advises limiting free sugars (those added to food or drinks low-fat sugary foods
and found naturally in honey, syrups and unsweetened fruit juices). are always a better
Naturally occurring sugars in whole fruit and milk are not included in option. It’s helpful
these limits. to explore the idea
that all nutrients,
Recommended maximum daily intake of free sugars: including fats and
play different roles
• adults: up to 30g (about 7 teaspoons) in the body and that
balance and variety
• 7–10 years: up to 24g
are key.
• 4–6 years: up to 19g

• under 4s: no guideline amount but it is recommended to avoid

added sugars where possible

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 Animals Including Humans Scientific Knowledge

Consuming too much free sugar over time may increase the risk of
dental issues and other health concerns. Many commonly eaten items
such as sugary drinks, cakes, biscuits, cereals and sauces are higher in
added sugars.

Salt:

Salt helps regulate fluids and nerve function but eating too much
regularly can increase the risk of high blood pressure.

Recommended maximum daily salt intake:

• adults and children 11+: 6g/day (about 1 teaspoon)
• 7–10 years: 5g/day
• 4–6 years: 3g/day

• 1–3 years: 2g/day

Salt is often already present in everyday foods such as bread, ready

meals and snacks so being aware of intake can help maintain balance.

Traffic Light Labelling:

Many products use a colour-coded system to help make information

easier to understand:
• green = low
• amber = medium

• red = higher levels of a nutrient

There’s no need to avoid foods marked in red altogether but this

system can help you balance choices across the day. A mix of mostly
green and amber indicators can be a helpful guide when aiming for a
balanced diet.

It’s important to note that the serving size shown on labels is a

suggested amount used for nutritional comparison, not necessarily
how much someone will eat. Portion size refers to the actual amount
someone chooses to consume, which may be larger or smaller.

Some food packages show nutritional values per half a pack, even
though a whole pack might be eaten at once so reading labels carefully
can help when interpreting the information.

Everyone has different dietary needs based on their lifestyle, body type,
cultural background and health goals. Rather than focusing on ‘good’
or ‘bad’ foods, it’s more helpful to think in terms of variety, balance and
how foods fit into your overall diet. Some foods contain more nutrients
than others but all foods can have a place in a balanced eating pattern.

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 Animals Including Humans Scientific Knowledge

Possible Child
Lesson Scientific Knowledge
Misconceptions
Lesson 3 The human skeleton is a type of endoskeleton – an internal structure Children may think
The Human made of bones that supports the body and protects organs, muscles bones are dead
Skeleton and other tissues. because bones in
museums are dry
At birth, humans have about 270 bones but, as we grow, some of these and white. In reality,
bones fuse together. Most adults have around 206 bones, though this bones in the body
number can vary slightly from person to person. are living tissue filled
with blood vessels
The bones are connected by ligaments, tendons and cartilage – all
and cells.
types of connective tissue that help the skeleton function properly.
Children may
• Tendons connect muscles to bones and allow movement by
believe bones only
transferring force from the muscle to the bone.
support the body.
• Ligaments connect bones to other bones and help stabilise While support is a
joints by preventing too much movement. key function, bones
also produce blood
• Cartilage provides cushioning between bones, reduces cells, store minerals
friction at joints and helps shape certain parts of the body. It and fats and help
doesn’t link bones directly but plays a key supporting role. regulate important
processes in the
The skeleton is divided into two main parts:
body.
1. The axial skeleton, which includes the skull, spine and
Some children may
ribcage. The skull protects the brain, the spine supports the
think all bones are
body and protects the spinal cord and the ribcage shields the
hard and solid.
heart and lungs.
Bones are strong
2. The appendicular skeleton, which includes the bones in the but many are hollow
arms, legs, shoulders and hips. These bones connect to the in the centre and
axial skeleton via the shoulder and pelvic girdles. filled with soft bone
marrow, where blood
Bones are living tissue. Inside many bones is bone marrow, which cells are made.
produces blood cells. Bones also contain blood vessels, nerves and
special cells that help repair and maintain bone health through a
process called bone remodelling. In this process osteoblasts build new
bone and osteoclasts break down old bone.

The skeleton plays many important roles in the body. It:

• provides support and structure;
• enables movement through joints and muscles;
• protects vital organs;
• acts as a system of levers for physical activity;
• produces blood cells in the bone marrow;
• stores calcium and other minerals, releasing them when
needed.

Joints are where two bones meet. They are essential for movement.
Without joints, we wouldn’t be able to jump, hold a pencil or rotate
our arms. Joints work closely with muscles to help animals with
endoskeletons move in different ways.

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 Animals Including Humans Scientific Knowledge

Possible Child
Lesson Scientific Knowledge
Misconceptions
Lesson 4 Animals have different types of skeletons depending on their size, Children may think
Types of Skeleton habitat and how they live. A skeleton gives an animal support, that all animals have
protection and a structure for muscles to attach to, allowing bones' however,
movement. some animals
have exoskeletons
Exoskeletons or no bones at all
Animals with exoskeletons have skeletons on the outside of their (like worms, which
bodies. These external skeletons form a hard, protective layer that have hydrostatic
helps defend the animal from predators and environmental damage. skeletons).
Exoskeletons also help prevent water loss, which is especially
important for animals that live on land. Children may believe
that exoskeletons
A substance called chitin is a major component of many exoskeletons, are just shells. While
along with other proteins and minerals. shells can be part
of an exoskeleton
One limitation of an exoskeleton is that it doesn’t grow with the animal.
(like a crab’s), an
As the animal grows, it must moult (shedding the old exoskeleton and
exoskeleton covers
forming a new one). During moulting, the animal is more vulnerable to
the whole body and
predators and injury.
supports it, while
Exoskeletons also limit the overall size animals can grow to. This is a shell usually just
because they are relatively heavy and a very large exoskeleton would protects one part.
make movement difficult or impossible.
Children may think
Endoskeletons that skeletons are
Animals with endoskeletons have skeletons inside their bodies. These just for humans;
skeletons are made of bone and cartilage. An endoskeleton grows with however, skeletons
the animal and supports greater body sizes. It also allows for efficient –whether internal,
movement and provides an internal framework for muscles to pull external or fluid-
against. based – are found
across many animal
While endoskeletons offer less protection from external harm groups and are
compared to exoskeletons, they are more flexible in structure and allow crucial for movement
for faster, more powerful movement. This makes them well suited to and survival.
active animals such as birds, mammals and fish.

Muscles in animals with endoskeletons tend to be less flexible than

in animals with hydrostatic skeletons but they are well adapted for
strength and speed.

Hydrostatic Skeletons
Animals with hydrostatic skeletons have no bones. Instead, their
bodies are supported by fluid-filled cavities such as a coelom.
These internal fluids create pressure that helps the animal move by
contracting muscles around the fluid, like squeezing a water balloon.

Hydrostatic skeletons do not offer protection from predators but they

make animals extremely flexible, allowing them to squeeze into small
spaces and move in smooth, wave-like motions.

This type of skeleton allows for quick movement without the weight of
bones and the soft tissues can often heal more easily than bone.

The type of skeleton an animal has is closely related to its habitat, size
and lifestyle. Skeletons are essential for survival because they:
• provide support and shape;
• protect internal organs;
• allow movement through muscle attachment;
• help animals interact with their environment.

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 Animals Including Humans Scientific Knowledge

Possible Child
Lesson Scientific Knowledge
Misconceptions
Lesson 5 Endoskeletons are found in all vertebrates (animals that have a Some children
Animals and their backbone). Like the human skeleton, an endoskeleton serves several think that only
Skeletons important purposes. It: humans and big
animals have bones;
• provides internal support for the body;
however, many small
• enables movement when muscles contract and pull on bones; animals also have
• protects vital organs, such as the brain, heart and lungs; endoskeletons.
Whether an animal
• stores essential minerals like calcium and phosphorus; has bones is
determined by its
In many animals, bone marrow within the skeleton also produces blood classification as a
cells vertebrate, not its
size.
Endoskeletons are always located inside the body and are made
from bone, cartilage or a combination of both. Unlike animals with Some children
exoskeletons, vertebrates do not need to moult, as their skeletons may think that the
grow along with them. endoskeleton is only
made of hard bone;
Examples of Vertebrates with Endoskeletons:
however, cartilage
• mammals – such as humans, dogs and whales is also a vital part of
endoskeletons. Some
• birds – such as parrots, owls and penguins (many flying birds animals, like sharks,
have hollow bones to reduce their weight and make flight have skeletons made
easier) entirely of cartilage,
which is strong yet
• reptiles – including snakes, turtles and crocodiles flexible.
• amphibians – such as frogs, toads and salamanders

• fish – including tuna, seahorses and sharks (sharks have

skeletons made entirely of cartilage, not bone)

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 Animals Including Humans Scientific Knowledge

Possible Child
Lesson Scientific Knowledge
Misconceptions
Lesson 6 Muscles are essential for controlling our skeleton and allowing us to Some children may
Muscles move. They are made of specialised tissue that can contract (shorten) believe that the
and relax (lengthen), creating the force needed for movement and for bones move because
supporting many of the body’s essential functions. of joints. However,
bones cannot move
There are three types of muscle tissue in the human body: without muscles.
While joints allow for
• Skeletal Muscle: These muscles are attached to bones and
movement, it is the
are responsible for voluntary movements such as walking,
muscles contracting
lifting or smiling. They are under conscious control.
and pulling on the
Skeletal muscles usually work in pairs: while one muscle bones that make
contracts to move a bone, the opposite muscle relaxes. movement happen.
This coordinated action allows us to move smoothly and Without muscle
efficiently. These muscles also help maintain posture, support action, bones would
balance and protect internal organs. remain still unless
moved by an external
• Smooth Muscle: Found in the walls of internal organs and force.
blood vessels, smooth muscle handles involuntary actions
like moving food through the digestive system or controlling When learning
the diameter of blood vessels. These actions happen about voluntary and
automatically without us needing to think about them. involuntary muscle
movements, some
• Cardiac Muscle: This type of muscle is found only in the heart. children may think
Like smooth muscle, it works involuntarily, keeping the heart they can completely
beating in a steady, regular rhythm. control processes
like breathing. In
Muscles don’t just help us move – they also play an important role in
reality, breathing is
how our body uses energy. Muscle contractions require energy, which
mostly involuntary.
comes from a molecule called ATP (adenosine triphosphate). Because
While we can hold
muscle activity uses a lot of energy, muscle tissue is a key part of the
our breath for a
body’s overall metabolism.
short time, the
body will eventually
resume breathing
automatically. This is
because the muscles
that control breathing
(like the diaphragm)
are regulated by the
brain to meet the
body’s needs.

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