8mo–20mo9 minFree playFamily time
Flaps, Keys & Shutters Box
A supervised exploration setup where your child investigates robust items with flaps, knobs, keys, shutters, or zips, practising open/close actions, anticipation, and simple 'find it' searching through playful repetition.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 3 robust items with simple parts to open/close (e.g., a flap book, a small lidded container, a zip pouch or old wallet)
Nice to have
- a set of toy keys
- a soft cloth or scarf
- a small soft toy
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
- MilestoneShows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning to learn to operate them.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneExperiments with object actionsMind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneFinds a visibly hidden objectMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneGestures to recruit helpMind· 9mo–21mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneReacts to disappearanceMind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 3
What it practices
- Shows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning to learn to operate them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Anticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Watches toy being hidden and tries to find it.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Have available robust resources with knobs, flaps, keys or shutters.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)