2.5y–4.2y12 minDevelopmental playOutdoorFamily time
Experience Word Hunt
A short, adult-led mini-adventure around home (or just outside) where your child explores a few everyday items, learns new words, and practises explaining and recalling what happened.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small bag or basket
- 5–8 everyday objects from around home (e.g., spoon, sock, leaf, sponge, toy car)
- paper and a crayon/pencil
Nice to have
- phone/camera for a quick photo
- a bowl of water and a towel (optional for a simple float/sink check)
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
- MilestoneRetells Recent or Past EventsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneDescribes object propertiesMind· 2.5y–3y· core
- MilestoneUses a range of tenses (e.g. play, playing, will play, played).Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneNames objects in contextMind· 2.5y–3.8y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAsks Wh-QuestionsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneComplex connected sentencesMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExplains causesMind· 3.8y–4.6y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTalks About Past and Future EventsMind· 2.5y–3y· stretch
- MilestoneAsks why questionsMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneNames objects from memoryMind· 4y–6y· core
What it practices
- Uses talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and anticipate what might happen next, recall and relive past experiences.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Questions why things happen and gives explanations. Asks e.g. who, what, when, how.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to use more complex sentences to link thoughts (e.g. using and, because).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can retell a simple past event in correct order (e.g. went down slide, hurt finger).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a range of tenses (e.g. play, playing, will play, played).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children to build their vocabulary by extending the range of their experiences.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)