2.5y–4.2y12 minFree playSocial playFamily time
Inclusive Role-Play Corner
Set up a role-play area using everyday items reflecting family/community life, include one gentle ‘new-to-us’ element, and practise invitations, conversational turns, and inclusive curiosity through pretend play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- everyday pretend props (e.g., empty food containers, a spoon, a small bag, a scarf/hat)
- paper and pencil (for a simple sign or list)
Nice to have
- a picture book or magazine with photos of different homes/places/foods/clothes
- a small box to be a ‘counter’ or ‘bus’
- a toy phone or any safe household object to pretend-call with
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
- MilestoneInvites others into pretend playHeart· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneDemonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneBack and forth conversationMind· 2.3y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneCooperative peer playHeart· 2.7y–3.8y· core
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneJoins other children in playHeart· 2.3y–3.2y· core
- MilestoneSeeks play with other childrenHeart· 3y–4y· stretch
What it practices
- Can play in a group, extending and elaborating play ideas, e.g. building up a role-play activity with other children.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates play, offering cues to peers to join them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Keeps play going by responding to what others are saying or doing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Demonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates conversations, attends to and takes account of what others say.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide a role-play area resourced with materials reflecting children’s family lives and communities. Consider including resources reflecting lives that are unfamiliar, to broaden children’s knowledge and reflect an inclusive ethos.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)