2.5y–4.2y10 minFamily timeChore timeOutdoor
Care Spotters: People & Planet
A short noticing-and-doing routine where you models concern and respect and your child practises choosing one small caring action for others, living things, and the environment.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper and a pen/crayon
- one small ‘care target’ (choose one): a houseplant, a pet item (bowl/brush), or a small area to tidy/wipe
Nice to have
- 2–3 clean recyclables (box, bottle, paper) for a quick sort
- a small bag for safe litter picking with adult supervision (optional)
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
- MilestoneShows care and concern for living things and the environment.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneResponds helpfully to needsHeart· 2.4y–3y· stretch
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneHelps with simple household tasksHeart· 18mo–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneTalks About Past and Future EventsMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSorts Objects by AttributeMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneActivates buttons and switchesBody· 2y–2.5y· stretch· Step 3
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Show your own concern and respect for others, living things and the environment.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)