16mo–2.2y12 minFree playSelf-careFamily time
Dolly Dress & Pour Café
A short pretend-play routine where your child practises buttoning/fastening, supervised pouring, and purposeful object manipulation (including dressing a doll/teddy).
What you'll need
Essentials
- a doll/teddy (or any soft toy)
- a child- or adult-sized cardigan/shirt with big buttons (or a zip/velcro fastener)
- a small unbreakable cup
- a small jug/cup/bottle for pouring (use a tiny amount of water)
- towel for spills
Nice to have
- dry pouring alternative (large pasta shapes) if water isn’t suitable (close supervision)
- a spoon for stirring (optional)
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
- MilestoneButtons buttonsBody· 4y–5y· core
- MilestonePours or serves food or drink with supervisionBody· 3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneMatches parts of objects that fit together, e.g. puts lid on teapot.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneApplies pincer grip in tasksBody· 12mo–2y· stretch
- MilestoneSimple pretend playMind· 14mo–2.2y· stretch
- MilestoneReenacts familiar experiencesMind· 2.2y–3.8y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneStops when instructedHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneActs from knowledge of propertiesMind· 16mo–2.3y· core· Steps 2, 4
- MilestoneUses objects functionallyMind· 10mo–15mo· stretch
- MilestoneEnjoys filling and emptying containers.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage children in their efforts to do up buttons, pour a drink, and manipulate objects in their play, e.g. ‘Can you put the dolly’s arm in the coat?’”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)