2.5y–4.2y12 minFree playFamily timeSocial play
Robot Route Mission
Coach you to play a ‘robot’ game where your child gives step-by-step instructions to reach a target, then swaps roles, strengthening positional language, sequencing, and clear direction-giving.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a ‘target’ object/location (e.g., a snack on a chair, a toy by the sofa, a taped X on the floor)
- 2–4 safe obstacles/landmarks (pillows, chairs, a box, a blanket)
- a clear floor space
Nice to have
- masking tape (to mark a start line or simple path)
- paper and marker (to draw a simple map with arrows)
- a small toy robot/vehicle (optional to demonstrate first)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneExpressive spatial descriptionMind· 2.5y–3y· core
- MilestoneReceptive spatial-word understandingMind· 2.7y–3.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows instructions with several steps or actionsMind· 3.3y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneEnacts a pretend roleMind· 3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneNegotiates space while movingBody· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneRetells Recent or Past EventsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneTalks About Past and Future EventsMind· 2.5y–3y· 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 shape by sustained construction activity or by talking about shapes or arrangements.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in shapes in the environment.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Be a robot and ask children to give you instructions to get to somewhere. Let them have a turn at being the robot for you to instruct.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)