22mo–3y13 minFree playArtOutdoor
Colour, Texture, Space Explorer
Guide the adult to provide a manageable variety of materials and sensory experiences so your child can explore colour, texture, and space through choosing, touching, arranging, and building.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 3 colour tools (e.g., crayons/markers/paper pieces in different colours)
- 3 textures (e.g., foil, fabric scrap, cardboard, bubble wrap, paper towel)
- 2 space objects (e.g., a box and a smaller box OR a basket and a bowl)
Nice to have
- masking tape
- a blanket or cushion to make a ‘space’ (tent/cave)
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
- MilestoneActs from knowledge of propertiesMind· 16mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneCan select and use activities and resources with help.Heart· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneUses mark-making toolsBody· 22mo–2.8y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneProduces controlled varied strokesBody· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneScribbles or makes marksBody· 12mo–22mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneDescribes object propertiesMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneBuilds with non-block construction piecesBody· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneBuilds a tall tower of 6 or more blocksBody· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide a wide range of materials, resources and sensory experiences to enable children to explore colour, texture and space.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)