3.3y–5y15 minArtDevelopmental playFamily time
Make, Show, Explain
A quick ‘model-making’ and show-and-tell routine where your child practises meaningful speaking and listening by explaining what they made and how they made it, then responding to a question.
What you'll need
Essentials
- recycling (small box/carton/tube) and paper
- tape or a safe glue alternative
- crayons/pencils
Nice to have
- child-safe scissors (with close supervision)
- a small bag of ‘decorations’ (stickers, scraps, string)
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
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneLinks statements and sticks to a main theme or intention.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneExtends vocabulary, especially by grouping and naming, exploring the meaning and sounds of new words.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSustains back-and-forth conversationMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneOrders a complete familiar sequenceMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneRetells Recent or Past EventsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneNames objects in contextMind· 2.5y–3.8y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneIndependent connected storytellingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUses three- to five-word sentencesMind· 2y–4y· core
- MilestoneSays what will happen nextMind· 2.5y–4y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUses Intonation and Rhythm to Clarify MeaningMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch
What it practices
- Extends vocabulary, especially by grouping and naming, exploring the meaning and sounds of new words.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Links statements and sticks to a main theme or intention.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses language to imagine and recreate roles and experiences in play situations.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide opportunities for children to participate in meaningful speaking and listening activities. For example, children can take models that they have made to show children in another group or class and explain how they were made.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)