8mo–20mo12 minFree playDevelopmental playFamily time
Grip Explorer: Home-Corner Tools
A short pretend-play routine where your child tries safe household ‘tools’ (like a brush and a small jug) and you help them discover comfortable ways to grasp, hold, and use them with growing control.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 safe ‘tools’ (e.g., a small brush/paintbrush, wooden spoon, whisk, sponge)
- a small unbreakable jug/teapot or cup for pouring pretend (empty or with a tiny amount of water)
- a towel or tray to contain mess
- a clear floor/table space
Nice to have
- an empty pot with lid for stirring
- a piece of paper and a chunky crayon for mark-making (if appropriate)
- a small bowl for ‘washing’ with a little water
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
- MilestoneUses objects functionallyMind· 10mo–15mo· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneHas a strong exploratory impulse.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneSimple pretend playMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneReenacts household routines in playMind· 16mo–3y· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestonePalmar grasp on writing toolBody· 10mo–22mo· core
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneBangs two held objects togetherBody· 8mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Holds pen or crayon using a whole hand (palmar) grasp and makes random marks with different strokes.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Enjoys the sensory experience of making marks in damp sand, paste or paint.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Picks up small objects between thumb and fingers.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help young children to find comfortable ways of grasping, holding and using things they wish to use, such as a hammer, a paintbrush or a teapot in the home corner.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)