8mo–20mo9 minSelf-careChore timeFree play
Picture Spot Tidy Match
The adult sets up simple picture/shape 'parking spots' for a few familiar items so your child can match and put things away, building early sorting, matching, and routine understanding.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 small containers/baskets (or clear floor spots)
- 2–3 familiar items (e.g., block, spoon, sock, soft toy)
- paper (or sticky notes) and a pen
Nice to have
- tape (to stick labels on)
- a small cloth (to 'wipe and tidy' together)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneSupported routine participationMind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneMatches identical objects and picturesMind· 15mo–2.5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneHelps with simple household tasksHeart· 18mo–3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAttempts, sometimes successfully, to fit shapes into spaces on inset boards or jigsaw puzzles.Mind· 10mo–3.2y· stretch
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use pictures or shapes of objects to indicate where things are kept and encourage children to work out where things belong.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)