3.3y–5y10 minActive playDevelopmental playFamily time
Lead, Follow, Copy: Movement Word Parade
A turn-taking movement game (gallop/slither) that also returns to the table for drawing ‘movement paths’, supporting vocabulary, listening, and pencil control.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2 small pieces of paper (or sticky notes) for prompt cards
- pencil or marker
- one small toy animal/figure/car (optional but helpful)
Nice to have
- masking tape to mark a simple ‘loop’ on the floor
- music (optional)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneChildren show good control and co-ordination in large and small movements.Body· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneTakes turns in simple games with adult supportHeart· 20mo–3.3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneControls tools effectivelyBody· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneCaptures experiences and responses with a range of media, such as music, dance and paint and other materials or words.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneCreate simple representations of events, people and objects.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneUses finger-thumb pencil graspBody· 2.8y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneCopies letters from a modelMind· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- They handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a pencil and holds it effectively to form recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Handles tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage children to use the vocabulary of movement, e.g. ‘gallop’, ‘slither’; of instruction e.g. ‘follow’, ‘lead’ and ‘copy’.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)