22mo–3y12 minFree playOutdoorFamily time
Curiosity Basket: Choose, Talk, Explore
A guided curiosity-basket routine where you offers a few exciting household/nature items and follows your child’s interest to build listening, understanding, concept words (like big/little), and sustained attention through play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small ‘curiosity basket’ with 4–6 safe items (e.g., a hat, a small tub of soapy water + a whisk for bubbles, a picture/story book, a few large seeds in a sealed clear container, a large shell or pinecone)
- a clear floor/table space for exploring
Nice to have
- a magnifying glass (optional; only if already owned)
- paper and crayons for a quick ‘draw what you saw’ moment
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
- MilestoneCan select and use activities and resources with help.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneDiscriminates bigger and smallerMind· 2.2y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTwo-channelled attention – can listen and do for short span.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneFocuses on self-chosen activityMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneExpresses size conceptsMind· 16mo–2.2y· core
- MilestoneSorts Objects by AttributeMind· 2.3y–3.2y· core
- MilestoneIndependent page turningBody· 10mo–22mo· core· Step 2
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Include things which excite young children’s curiosity, such as hats, bubbles, shells, story books, seeds and snails.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)