8mo–20mo10 minFree playFamily timeDevelopmental play
Grip Explorers: Tap, Brush, Pour
A safe ‘home corner’ style tool-play routine where your child explores comfortable ways to grasp and use simple household objects, building control, two-hand coordination, and steady posture.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a low, stable surface (coffee table, sturdy box, or floor mat)
- a wooden spoon or silicone spatula (the ‘tap tool’)
- a kitchen pastry brush or a large clean makeup brush (the ‘brush tool’)
- a small plastic cup or lightweight unbreakable jug (the ‘pour tool’)
- a towel or tray to contain mess
Nice to have
- a second cup for simple pouring practice (empty or with a tiny amount of water)
- a few large plastic lids (for tapping targets)
- paper or cardboard for ‘water painting’ with the brush (water only)
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
- MilestoneExperiments with object actionsMind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneUses objects functionallyMind· 10mo–15mo· core· Steps 3, 4
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Steps 2, 3, 4
- MilestoneTransfers object between handsBody· 6mo–12mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneSimple pretend playMind· 14mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 1
What it practices
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)