3.3y–5y10 minFamily timeOutdoor
Hot-to-Cool Environment Detective
Help your child notice when they feel hot, test simple environmental changes (airflow, shade, water), and reflect on what helps everybody feel comfortable.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a drink of water
- a light cloth or small towel
Nice to have
- a piece of paper or card for fanning
- access to a safe, supervised window or door you can open briefly
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
- MilestoneObserves the effects of activity on their bodies.Body· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands healthy daily habitsMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneExplains causesMind· 3.8y–4.6y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneIndependently manages dangersHeart· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSays what will happen nextMind· 2.5y–4y· core· Steps 2, 4
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneReceptive opposite understandingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneOrders a complete familiar sequenceMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Shows some understanding that good practices with regard to exercise, eating, sleeping and hygiene can contribute to good health.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows understanding of the need for safety when tackling new challenges, and considers and manages some risks.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Discuss with children why they get hot and encourage them to think about the effects of the environment, such as whether opening a window helps everybody to be cooler.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)