3.3y–5y15 minFamily timeStory timeCommunity time
Celebrations Around Us
A respectful, child-led conversation and play activity that strengthens your child’s positive impressions of their own culture/faith and others in the community by sharing special events and everyday practices without stereotypes.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper and crayons or pens
Nice to have
- 2–6 photos or drawings of family/community events (birthday, wedding, holiday, festival, mosque/church/temple/community centre, school events)
- a few safe household ‘celebration props’ (scarf/fabric, bowl/plate, music shaker like a container of rice, candle-shaped object or LED tea light)
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
- MilestoneKnows some of the things that make them unique, and can talk about some of the similarities and differences in relation to friends or family.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneExplains own knowledge and understanding, and asks appropriate questions of others.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneSustains back-and-forth conversationMind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneLinks statements and sticks to a main theme or intention.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneNames own feelingsHeart· 3y–4y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneJoins group dances and ring gamesHeart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Strengthen the positive impressions children have of their own cultures and faiths, and those of others in their community, by sharing and celebrating a range of practices and special events.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)