Stepping Back in Time with Now Press Play

Today, the children took part in an exciting Now Press Play workshop in the hall, where they were fully immersed in the fascinating world of the Ancient Maya. Equipped with headphones and guided through an interactive story, the children stepped back in time and followed in the footsteps of a young Maya child and their loyal pet jaguar, Soft Paws.

Throughout the experience, the children became part of the adventure. They harvested maize, travelled through the rainforest, visited the great city of Tikal and faced a series of challenges as they attempted to rescue their mother after she was captured by warriors. The immersive nature of the workshop meant that the children were not simply learning about history, they were living it! They ran, crawled, hid and problem-solved as the story unfolded around them.

The level of enthusiasm and engagement was fantastic. Every child was eager to participate and fully embraced their role in the adventure. The hall was filled with excitement as they journeyed through marketplaces, explored tombs, climbed pyramids and witnessed dramatic events including a solar eclipse and an important royal ceremony.

After completing the session, the children impressed us with the amount of knowledge they had retained. They were able to explain the differences between rural Maya villages and the powerful city kingdom of Tikal. They discussed the importance of maize farming and how drought could affect Maya communities. Many children shared facts about Maya astronomy, calendars, number systems and the incredible engineering involved in building pyramids.

The workshop also helped the children develop their understanding of Maya religion and culture. They learned about the role of gods in everyday life, the significance of sacrifice and the importance of the Maya ball game.

It was wonderful to hear the children confidently recount key moments from the story and explain the historical learning behind them. The experience brought history to life in a memorable and engaging way, helping the children deepen their understanding of one of the world's most remarkable ancient civilisations.

We are incredibly proud of the children's enthusiasm, curiosity and excellent listening throughout the session.