2.5y–4.2y12 minFree playStory timeFamily time
Rescue on Cushion Cliff
A small-world toy adventure where you sets a simple scene and uses light prompts so your child links events into a short story (beginning + event, with an ending if it comes).
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–4 small toys/figures (animals, cars, dolls, or teddies)
- a cushion/armchair/blanket to make a 'cliff' or bridge
Nice to have
- a small box (cave/house/garage)
- a scarf/tea towel (river/rope/blanket)
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
- MilestoneCreates pretend small world stories with toysMind· 3y–4y· core
- MilestoneAdds a sequenced storylineMind· 4y–5y· 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· Step 1
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneRetells or summarizes story contentMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneIndependent connected storytellingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Builds stories around toys, e.g. farm animals needing rescue from an armchair ‘cliff’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Engages in imaginative role-play based on own first-hand experiences.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses available resources to create props to support role-play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — construct-derived activity authored from enriched DM2012 construct