3.3y–5y10 minMusicActive playFamily time
Move Like the Idea
A short movement-and-imagination sequence where the child chooses an imaginative idea (creature, weather, machine) and communicates it through expressive movement, gesture, and simple narrative.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small clear floor space
- a scarf, tea towel, or small cloth
Nice to have
- music from a phone (any style)
- 2 paper plates or sheets of paper (as 'stepping stones')
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
- MilestoneInitiates new combinations of movement and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAdds a sequenced storylineMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneEnacts a pretend roleMind· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestonePlans a pretend scenarioMind· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Create simple representations of events, people and objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates new combinations of movement and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Chooses particular colours to use for a purpose.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Introduces a storyline or narrative into their play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Plays alongside other children who are engaged in the same theme.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Plays cooperatively as part of a group to develop and act out a narrative.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children communicate through their bodies by encouraging expressive movement linked to their imaginative ideas.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)