2.5y–4.2y12 minStory timeFree playFamily time
Fruit Basket Story Play
Sets up simple story props (fruit and baskets/containers) so your child can play out a story, count items into baskets, and use number language naturally during pretend play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a few pieces of fruit (real, toy, or drawn on paper)
- 2–4 containers (baskets, bowls, boxes, or bags)
Nice to have
- toy animals/figures (to act out the story)
- a favourite storybook (any you already have)
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
What it practices
- Recites numbers in order to 10.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses some number names and number language spontaneously.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses some number names accurately in play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Knows that numbers identify how many objects are in a set.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide story props that children can use in their play, e.g. varieties of fruit and several baskets like Handa’s in the story Handa’s Surprise by Eileen Browne.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)