2.5y–4.2y12 minMealtimeFree playBath time
Label Detective
A quick home ‘label hunt’ where your child uses print on packaging and simple signs to get information (what it is/where it goes) and asks you to read print to find out something.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2 similar food tubs/packets (e.g., yogurt vs cream cheese, two cereal boxes) or 2 similar bottles
- a marker and 2 small bits of paper (for quick labels)
- a small basket/box
Nice to have
- a child-safe timer (or phone timer)
- 2 small toys for pretend shop/restaurant
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
- MilestoneShows confidence in asking adults for help.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneSorts Objects by AttributeMind· 2.3y–3.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneGroups category membersMind· 2y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneReenacts familiar experiencesMind· 2.2y–3.8y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneHelps with simple household tasksHeart· 18mo–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUses symbolic substitution (objects and words) in playMind· 20mo–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneCoordinates gesture with another signalMind· 9mo–2.5y· core· Step 2
What it practices
- Knows information can be relayed in the form of print.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Recognises familiar words and signs such as own name and advertising logos.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in illustrations and print in books and print in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — construct-derived activity authored from enriched DM2012 construct