3.3y–5y15 minFree playFamily timeDevelopmental play
How Can We? What If? Mini Nature Lab
A playful 'mini experiment' where you practises open-ended questions with your child (How can we...? What would happen if...?) while exploring simple changes with everyday objects.
What you'll need
Essentials
- bowl of water
- towel
- 3-5 small safe objects (e.g., spoon, leaf, pebble, sponge, plastic lid)
Nice to have
- ice cube
- paper and pencil for a quick drawing
- tray or baking sheet (to catch drips)
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
- MilestoneExplains own knowledge and understanding, and asks appropriate questions of others.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneSays what will happen nextMind· 2.5y–4y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExplains causesMind· 3.8y–4.6y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSelects appropriate resources and adapts work where necessary.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneIdentifies shared category featuresMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Pose carefully framed open-ended questions, such as “How can we…?” or “What would happen if…?”.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)