2.5y–4.2y10 minReadingArtQuiet time
Pattern Picture Talk
Use everyday pictures with symmetry or repeating patterns to help your child notice, describe, and use simple positional language (middle/side/top/bottom).
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2-3 pictures (magazines, books, postcards, or packaging) showing patterns or symmetry
- paper
- crayons or pencil
Nice to have
- mirror (handheld or wall mirror)
- stickers or coloured tape
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
- MilestoneAttends to book contentMind· 18mo–2.6y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneExpressive spatial descriptionMind· 2.5y–3y· core
- MilestoneReceptive spatial-word understandingMind· 2.7y–3.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneNotices detailed features of objects in their environment.Mind· 22mo–3y· stretch
- MilestoneBegins to identify own mathematical problems based on own interests and fascinations.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Shows an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows awareness of similarities of shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses positional language.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shape by sustained construction activity or by talking about shapes or arrangements.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Show pictures that have symmetry or pattern and talk to children about them.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)