3.3y–5y12 minFree playSocial playFamily time
Pretend Places: Many Ways to Live
A quick home role-play setup that uses everyday props to reflect different people, occupations, and routines, helping your child explore similarities and differences with respectful language.
What you'll need
Essentials
- everyday props (e.g., bowls, cups, a bag, a scarf/hat, an empty food box, a notepad and pencil)
- paper and a marker/crayon for simple signs
Nice to have
- old flyers/magazines to cut out pictures (optional)
- blankets/cushions to mark out the role-play ‘area’ (optional)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 5-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneIdentifies shared category featuresMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch· Step 5
- MilestoneEnacts a pretend roleMind· 3y–5y· core
- MilestoneKnows some of the things that make them unique, and can talk about some of the similarities and differences in relation to friends or family.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestonePlans a pretend scenarioMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Steps 1, 2, 4
- MilestoneReenacts familiar experiencesMind· 2.2y–3.8y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneSays what will happen nextMind· 2.5y–4y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSelects appropriate resources and adapts work where necessary.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· stretch
What it practices
- Shows interest in different occupations and ways of life.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Knows some of the things that make them unique, and can talk about some of the similarities and differences in relation to friends or family.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in the lives of people who are familiar to them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide role-play areas with a variety of resources reflecting diversity.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)