2.5y–4.2y12 minFamily timeArtQuiet time
Memory Makers: Special Event Keepsake
A simple, home-based ‘memory making’ routine where you helps your child preserve and revisit a special event using photos, drawing, and a short recording, supporting talk about people, events, and shared experiences.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper (loose sheets or a small notebook)
- crayons or pencils
- tape or glue (adult to handle as needed)
- 1–3 photos of a special event (printed, or viewable on your phone)
Nice to have
- a stapler (adult use only) to make a mini book
- an envelope or small box for a ‘memory box’
- phone voice recorder (or video) for a short recording
- stickers or recycled magazine pictures for decoration
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
- 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· core
- MilestoneCreate simple representations of events, people and objects.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneRetells Recent or Past EventsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· core
- MilestoneTalks About Past and Future EventsMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Steps 1, 4
- MilestoneGives meaning to own drawings or marksMind· 2.8y–3.8y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneSeeks out others to share experiences.Heart· 14mo–2.2y· stretch
What it practices
- Remembers and talks about significant events in their own experience.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Recognises and describes special times or events for family or friends.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in the lives of people who are familiar to them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide ways of preserving memories of special events, e.g. making a book, collecting photographs, tape recording, drawing and writing.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)