2.5y–4.2y11 minActive playMusicFree play
Choose-a-Theme Movement Adventure
Coach the adult to lead a short imaginative movement session shaped by your child’s current interests (e.g., space, zoo animals, shadows), using choice, imitation, simple sequences, and a calm-down finish.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small safe open space (living room/hallway) cleared of hazards
- one simple prop (e.g., a scarf/tea towel/blanket as a cape, or a soft toy)
Nice to have
- a phone to play a short piece of music
- a torch/flashlight for simple shadow play (optional)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies movements to musicBody· 18mo–3.3y· core
- MilestoneFollows instructions with several steps or actionsMind· 3.3y–4y· core· Step 3
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneStops when instructedHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSettles after excitementHeart· 4y–6y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneFollows ordered multi-step directionsMind· 4y–5.6y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneProduces a simple rhythmMind· 2.8y–3y· stretch
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Enjoys joining in with dancing and ring games.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Imitates movement in response to music.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to move rhythmically.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Taps out simple repeated rhythms.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Lead imaginative movement sessions based on children’s current interests such as space travel, zoo animals or shadows.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)