3.3y–5y12 minStory timeFamily timeSocial play
Kind Heroes Puppet Stories
Use simple puppets and stories to help your child practise positive attitudes, challenge stereotypes, and talk respectfully about differences in families and roles.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2 simple 'puppets' (socks, paper bags, or two soft toys)
- a book (or you can make up a short story)
- paper and a crayon (optional for drawing a quick badge)
Nice to have
- tape or stickers (to add a simple face to a sock puppet)
- a small blanket or scarf (as a costume prop)
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
- 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
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneEnacts a pretend roleMind· 3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneUnderstands that own actions affect other people, for example, becomes upset or tries to comfort another child when they realise they have upset them.Heart· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneIdentifies shared category featuresMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneLonger sentencesMind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAnswers questions about a storyMind· 4y–6y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneUses three- to five-word sentencesMind· 2y–4y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSeeks play with other childrenHeart· 3y–4y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children to learn positive attitudes and challenge negative attitudes and stereotypes, e.g. using puppets, Persona Dolls, stories and books showing black heroes or disabled kings or queens or families with same sex parents, having a visit from a male midwife or female fire fighter.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)