—10 minActive playArtFree play
Big Path to Small Lines
A movement-to-mark activity where a child first makes big body paths, then turns the same paths into lines and circles on paper.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper
- crayon
- cushions or rolled towels
Nice to have
- paper and crayon if useful for recording
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneProduces controlled varied strokesBody· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies a circleBody· 2.2y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies letters from a modelMind· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneUses mark-making toolsBody· 22mo–2.8y· core
- MilestoneUses finger-thumb pencil graspBody· 2.8y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneUnderstands that they can use lines to enclose a space, and then begin to use these shapes to represent objects.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 2
What it practices
- Draws lines and circles using gross motor movements.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses one-handed tools and equipment, e.g. makes snips in paper with child scissors.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers, no longer using whole-hand grasp.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds pencil near point between first two fingers and thumb and uses it with good control.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can copy some letters, e.g. letters from their name.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Moves freely and with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Mounts stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Walks downstairs, two feet to each step while carrying a small object.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Runs skilfully and negotiates space successfully, adjusting speed or direction to avoid obstacles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can stand momentarily on one foot when shown.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can catch a large ball.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — cross-aspect multi-target authored per DM2012 's See [other aspect] pattern