2.5y–4.2y12 minFamily timeFree playReading
Home and Community Talk Map
A guided talk-and-play activity where your child describes their home and community routines and practices asking curious, respectful questions about other children’s experiences.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper and crayons or a pencil
- 3–8 small household objects or toys (e.g., spoon, key, sock, toy car)
Nice to have
- a few photos of familiar places/people (home, park, shop, family)
- blocks or cushions to make ‘places’ (home/shop/park)
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
- MilestoneExplains own knowledge and understanding, and asks appropriate questions of others.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneKnows some of the things that make them unique, and can talk about some of the similarities and differences in relation to friends or family.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Steps 3, 4
- MilestoneConfident to talk to other children when playing, and will communicate freely about own home and community.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneTalks About Past and Future EventsMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUses basic time conceptsMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage children to talk about their own home and community life, and to find out about other children’s experiences.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)