3.3y–5y12 minDevelopmental playArtQuiet time
Safe Tools Mini-Workshop
A short, supervised ‘workshop’ to practise safe routines and controlled use of common tools (scissors, glue, hole punch/marker), ending with tool care and tidy-up.
What you'll need
Essentials
- child-safe scissors (adult supervised)
- thick paper or thin cardboard (e.g., cereal box)
- glue stick (or tape)
- pencil or crayon
- a tray or placemat to define the work area
Nice to have
- hole punch (adult supervised)
- playdough and a blunt butter knife (for alternative tool practice)
- stickers (for decorating the finished piece)
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
- MilestoneUses scissors safelyBody· 3y–4y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneUses tools and equipment safelyHeart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneCuts materials with scissorsBody· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneShows understanding of how to transport and store equipment safely.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneUses child scissorsBody· 2.9y–5y· core
- MilestoneControls tools effectivelyBody· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUses simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneChanges materials with simple toolsBody· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows adult safety guidanceHeart· 2.5y–4y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneFollows instructions with several steps or actionsMind· 3.3y–4y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneFollows ordered multi-step directionsMind· 4y–5.6y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUses finger-thumb pencil graspBody· 2.8y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneFollows detailed directions with remindersMind· 4.5y–5y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Uses simple tools to effect changes to materials.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Handles tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- They handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a pencil and holds it effectively to form recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Teach children the skills they need to use equipment safely, e.g. cutting with scissors or using tools.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)