3.3y–5y9 minFree playFamily timeQuiet time
Gentle Start: Join My Play
A confidence-building entry routine for children who are hesitant, using low-pressure choices, shared roles, and warm narration to help them join imaginative play and representation safely.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2 small toys or household objects (e.g., toy animal, spoon, sock puppet)
Nice to have
- a small box (as a house/garage)
- paper and pencil (to add a sign/map if child wants)
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
What it practices
- Create simple representations of events, people and objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates new combinations of movement and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Chooses particular colours to use for a purpose.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Introduces a storyline or narrative into their play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Plays alongside other children who are engaged in the same theme.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Plays cooperatively as part of a group to develop and act out a narrative.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Carefully support children who are less confident.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)