16mo–2.2y8 minFamily timeQuiet timeSocial play
My People Matter Chat
A toddler-friendly photo-and-play chat that helps your child name friends and family and hear simple reasons they are important (help, love, play).
What you'll need
Essentials
- 3–6 photos (printed or on a phone) of close family and 1–2 friends
Nice to have
- a small soft toy or doll to ‘hold’ while talking
- a small mirror
- paper and a pen for adult notes
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneHas a sense of own immediate family and relations.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· core
- MilestoneIs curious about people and shows interest in stories about themselves and their family.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· core
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneEnjoys pictures and stories about themselves, their families and other people.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneIdentifies named picturesMind· 2y–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestonePoints to named objectMind· 2y–2.4y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· core· Step 2
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Talk to children about their friends, their families, and why they are important.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)