3.3y–5y10 minActive playFamily timeDevelopmental play
Follow-the-Leader Move & Mark
A lively follow-the-leader game using quick homemade prompts (action cards and stop/go signs) plus a short ‘move map’ drawing break to practise active movement, safe handling of materials, and early pencil control.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper (a few small scraps) and a marker
- masking tape (or any tape) to stick paper down
- a rolled-up sock (as a ‘leader baton’)
Nice to have
- child-safe scissors (adult supervised)
- music (phone speaker) for a ‘dance round’
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
- MilestoneChildren show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements.Body· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneHandles varied tools with controlBody· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneWrites name-related lettersMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUses tools and equipment safelyHeart· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneFollows adult safety guidanceHeart· 2.5y–4y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneControls tools effectivelyBody· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneForms recognisable letters independentlyMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUses finger-thumb pencil graspBody· 2.8y–4y· core
- MilestoneJoins group dances and ring gamesHeart· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies movements to musicBody· 18mo–3.3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies a circleBody· 2.2y–4.2y· stretch
What it practices
- Handles tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- They handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses simple tools to effect changes to materials.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a pencil and holds it effectively to form recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Motivate children to be active through games such as follow the leader.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)