8mo–20mo12 minFree playBath timeOutdoor
One Object, Many Ways
A guided exploration where your child stays with one safe object and links actions (shake, look, feel, mouth, pull/turn) to find out what it does.
What you'll need
Essentials
- one safe household object to explore (e.g., wooden spoon, silicone whisk, soft brush, or a crinkly cloth)
- a towel/blanket or tray to contain the play area
Nice to have
- a second contrasting object (e.g., metal spoon vs wooden spoon, or brush vs cloth)
- a small empty container/bowl (for tapping or putting the object in)
- a large leaf or pinecone for outdoor exploring (supervised)
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
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneExperiments with object actionsMind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExplores objects through the sensesBody· 0mo–11mo· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneRepeats actions that have an effect, e.g. kicking or hitting a mobile or shaking a rattle.Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneHas a strong exploratory impulse.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneExplores objects by mouthingBody· 4mo–8mo· stretch· Steps 1, 3
What it practices
- Explores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Becomes absorbed in combining objects, e.g. banging two objects or placing objects into containers.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning to learn to operate them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — construct-derived activity authored from enriched DM2012 construct