2.5y–4.2y10 minChore timeCommunity timeFamily time
Our Space, Our Eco-Rules
A 10-minute co-creation routine where you and your child agree 2–3 simple “We…” rules for caring for your shared space and environment, then practise them in a tiny real-life scenario and pretend-teach them to a toy.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small piece of paper or card
- a pen/marker/crayon
- a small bin/bag (or a ‘recycling’ box)
- 2–4 everyday items that sometimes get left out (e.g., paper scraps, cups, blocks)
Nice to have
- tape or sticky tack (to display the rule card)
- a favourite toy (to ‘teach’ the rules)
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
- MilestoneShows care and concern for living things and the environment.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core
- MilestoneHelps with simple household tasksHeart· 18mo–3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneEnacts a pretend roleMind· 3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneNames objects in contextMind· 2.5y–3.8y· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Collaborate with children in creating explicit rules for the care of the environment.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)