22mo–3y10 minMusicActive playArt
Scarf & Sound Jam: Move, Stop, Mark
A 22–36 month music response activity using a scarf/streamer and simple household instruments, with short stop moments for drawing lines/circles and a safe step-up/step-down ‘beat’—supporting spontaneous movement alongside tripod grip and shape imitation.
What you'll need
Essentials
- music source (phone/speaker) with an easy pause button
- a scarf/streamer substitute (tea towel, ribbon, or soft cloth strip)
- one simple ‘instrument’ (pot + wooden spoon, shaker bottle with rice, or toy instrument)
- paper
- chunky crayons or washable markers
- a safe low step or bottom stair and an adult hand/rail to hold
Nice to have
- masking tape to secure paper
- a second scarf for the adult to copy movements
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 mark-making toolsBody· 22mo–2.8y· core
- MilestoneProduces controlled varied strokesBody· 2y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneCopies a circleBody· 2.2y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneExplores and learns how sounds can be changed.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneScribbles or makes marksBody· 12mo–22mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneDistinguishes between the different marks they make.Mind· 22mo–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneCreates sounds by banging, shaking, tapping or blowing.Mind· 7mo–10mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneShows an interest in the way musical instruments sound.Mind· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneUses finger-thumb pencil graspBody· 2.8y–4y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneDescends with adult helpBody· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneWalks upstairs with supportBody· 18mo–2.3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneDescends using a railBody· 2y–2.5y· stretch
What it practices
- Beginning to use three fingers (tripod grip) to hold writing toolsObservable behaviour from Development Matters
- Imitates drawing simple shapes such as circles and lines.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Walks upstairs or downstairs holding onto a rail two feet to a step.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide CD and tape players, scarves, streamers and musical instruments so that children can respond spontaneously to music.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)