2.5y–4.2y15 minSocial playFree playFamily time
Friendship Bridge Plan
A small-step plan to support your child to join play, start friendly contact, and keep an interaction going when they haven’t yet made friends.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a simple shared-play activity (blocks, train track, cars, or play dough)
- 2-3 extra pieces so sharing is easy (extra blocks/cars)
- a small, calm play space
Nice to have
- a timer or phone
- a small snack or drink for a friendly 'together' moment
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 5-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneDemonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Steps 2, 3, 4, 5
- MilestoneJoins other children in playHeart· 2.3y–3.2y· core
- MilestoneCooperative peer playHeart· 2.7y–3.8y· core
- MilestoneCooperates and shares with peersHeart· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneSupported sharingHeart· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneSeeks play with other childrenHeart· 3y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneHelps with simple household tasksHeart· 18mo–3y· core· Step 5
What it practices
- Initiates play, offering cues to peers to join them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Demonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Keeps play going by responding to what others are saying or doing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates conversations, attends to and takes account of what others say.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan support for children who have not yet made friends.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)