2.5y–4.2y11 minOutdoorFree playFamily time
Distance Detective Walk
A simple indoor/outdoor walk where the adult prompts your child to describe where things are, spot shapes, and compare near/far and short/long distances using playful language.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2 small 'destination' objects (e.g., a cushion and a toy)
- masking tape OR a scarf/string (to mark a start line)
Nice to have
- paper and pencil (to draw a quick 'map')
- a few blocks (to make a tiny 'bridge' or obstacle)
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
- MilestoneExpressive spatial descriptionMind· 2.5y–3y· core
- MilestoneReceptive spatial-word understandingMind· 2.7y–3.2y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneDiscriminates longer and shorterMind· 2.8y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneReceptive opposite understandingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneDescribes object propertiesMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneIdentifies shared category featuresMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Uses positional language.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows awareness of similarities of shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan opportunities for children to describe and compare shapes, measures and distance.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)