2.5y–4.2y11 minFree playFamily timeArt
Build, Display, and Celebrate
Coach you to value your child’s constructions by noticing shapes and arrangements, inviting your child to explain, and creating a simple display moment (and optional photo) to strengthen pride and sustained construction play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- blocks/stacking cups/boxes (anything safe to build with)
- a flat surface (floor/table)
- paper and pen/pencil (to make a simple ‘display label’)
Nice to have
- masking tape (to mark a ‘display spot’)
- phone camera (optional)
- a small tray or piece of cardboard (to move the construction safely)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneStays focused during activityMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneDescribes object propertiesMind· 2.5y–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneBuilds block structures (vertical, walls, enclosures)Body· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExpressive spatial descriptionMind· 2.5y–3y· stretch· Step 2
What it practices
- Shows an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows awareness of similarities of shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses positional language.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shape by sustained construction activity or by talking about shapes or arrangements.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Value children’s constructions, e.g. helping to display them or taking photographs of them.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)