Activity 1 – Looking at the Tokens

The tokens were very special to the mothers and fathers who had to leave their children to be looked after at the hospital. They didn’t have much money and so the tokens they left were often taken from things they had like pieces of clothing or blankets.

Have a look at the different ways the tokens were decorated in PPT slides 5 – 17

Resources

PPT The Story of the Foundling Hospital. Slides 5 to 17

(See curriculum links - KS1 Art, Design Technology. EYFS – Expressive Arts and Design)

Discussion Questions

• What type of pictures or symbols were on the tokens?
• If you could choose a favourite picture or symbol that you really like and is important to you, what might it be? It could be your favourite flower, or your favourite animal.
• What do you like to play with? Have you got a favourite toy? Or maybe you play a sport, is there a symbol that represents your favourite sport? Is there something from your home that is important to all of your family? A photo, a book, an ornament?
• Why are these things special to you? Were they a gift? Have you had them for a long time?