—12 minFamily timeSocial playStory time
Ouch Words, Kind Fix
A simple doll-and-toy role-play that helps your child label a feeling, pause when told something hurt, and practise a small repair (gentle hands/‘sorry’/comfort) with support from you.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 1 soft toy (teddy/doll)
- 2 small toys/figures (or 2 household objects to be ‘characters’)
Nice to have
- a simple feelings book
- a small cloth/tissue for ‘comfort’
- a favourite snack (for a ‘take-a-breath’ pause)
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
- MilestoneAware of own feelings, and knows that some actions and words can hurt others’ feelings.Heart· 22mo–3y· stretch· Steps 1, 2, 4
- MilestoneAware that some actions can hurt or harm others.Heart· 22mo–3y· stretch· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExpresses feelings through words or actionsHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneNames own feelingsHeart· 3y–4y· core
- MilestoneOffers comfortHeart· 3y–4.5y· core
- MilestoneComforts a distressed personHeart· 3y–4.5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCalms with adult helpHeart· 20mo–3.2y· stretch
What it practices
- Aware of own feelings, and knows that some actions and words can hurt others’ feelings.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can express their own feelings such as sad, happy, cross, scared, worried.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Aware that some actions can hurt or harm others.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