2.5y–4.2y8 minOutdoorCommunity timeFamily time
Crossing Button & Intercom Helper
An out-and-about routine where you invites your child to safely help with simple public technology (crossing buttons and intercoms) and talk about what it does.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a short outing on a familiar route
- a safe place with a pedestrian crossing button and/or a building intercom/doorbell
- weather-appropriate clothing
Nice to have
- a small sticker or stamp for a “good waiting” celebration (optional)
- a simple picture list: stop / press / wait / go (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
- MilestoneFollows adult safety guidanceHeart· 2.5y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneActivates buttons and switchesBody· 2y–2.5y· stretch· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneWaits for needs or turnsHeart· 2.5y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneFollows instructions with several steps or actionsMind· 3.3y–4y· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneShows object-function knowledgeMind· 2.7y–5y· core
- MilestoneShows skill in making toys work by pressing parts or lifting flaps to achieve effects such as sound, movements or new images.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneReenacts familiar experiencesMind· 2.2y–3.8y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUses symbolic substitution (objects and words) in playMind· 20mo–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneStops when instructedHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 1
What it practices
- Knows how to operate simple equipment, e.g. turns on CD player and uses remote control.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows an interest in technological toys with knobs or pulleys, or real objects such as cameras or mobile phones.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows skill in making toys work by pressing parts or lifting flaps to achieve effects such as sound, movements or new images.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “When out in the locality, ask children to help to press the button at the pelican crossing, or speak into an intercom to tell somebody you have come back.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)