2.5y–4.2y12 minFree playSocial playFamily time
Pet Shop Signs & Messages
Set up a simple pretend pet shop at home with a writing station and a ‘customer message’ to listen to. your child makes meaningful marks for signs, labels, and receipts, and tells you what their writing says.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper scraps or sticky notes
- chunky crayons/markers or a pencil
- tape (or a washable glue stick)
- 3–5 toy animals or stuffed toys
- a small box/tray or tabletop space for the ‘shop counter’
Nice to have
- a phone to record/play a short voice note (or a toy phone for pretend listening)
- an envelope or small bag (for an order/receipt)
- stickers (for ‘stamps’ or price dots)
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
- MilestoneGives meaning to own drawings or marksMind· 2.8y–3.8y· core
- MilestoneUses mark-making toolsBody· 22mo–2.8y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneDistinguishes between the different marks they make.Mind· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneWrites name-related lettersMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Resource role-play areas with listening and writing equipment. Ensure that role-play areas encourage writing of signs with a real purpose, e.g. a pet shop.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)