3.3y–5y10 minFamily timeSocial playQuiet time
Fair Fix-It Share Game
A short, playful share-and-talk routine where you and your child explore fair vs unfair, name feelings about fairness, and practise simple ways to make things fair.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 6–10 small shareable items (blocks, crackers, buttons, socks—anything safe)
- 2 small bowls/plates or 2 piles on the floor/table
- paper and a pen/pencil
Nice to have
- 2 soft toys/dolls to act as ‘friends’
- a timer/phone (optional)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneNegotiates peer conflictsHeart· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneVerbalizes empathyHeart· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneDescribes feelings with supportHeart· 4.5y–5.5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneVerbal opposite identificationMind· 4.5y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneNames own feelingsHeart· 3y–4y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneMaintains control under frustrationHeart· 4.5y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· stretch
What it practices
- Beginning to be able to negotiate and solve problems without aggression, e.g. when someone has taken their toy.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Understands that own actions affect other people, for example, becomes upset or tries to comfort another child when they realise they have upset them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Aware of the boundaries set, and of behavioural expectations in the setting.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Talk about fair and unfair situations, children’s feelings about fairness, and how we can make things fair.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)