2.5y–4.2y10 minSocial playOutdoorActive play
Sheet Parachute & Ring Games
A short collaboration session using a bedsheet ‘parachute’ and a simple ring game to practise coordinating with others, taking turns leading, and keeping shared play going.
What you'll need
Essentials
- bedsheet or large towel
- soft ball or a pair of rolled-up socks (to ‘bounce’ safely)
Nice to have
- one more player (another adult/child) or 1-2 stuffed toys as ‘players’
- music (phone speaker) for the ring game
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
- MilestoneCooperative peer playHeart· 2.7y–3.8y· core
- MilestoneJoins group dances and ring gamesHeart· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTakes turns in simple games with adult supportHeart· 20mo–3.3y· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneStops when instructedHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneDemonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneAttends in adult-led groupMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneJoins other children in playHeart· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
- MilestoneSeeks play with other childrenHeart· 3y–4y· stretch
What it practices
- Can play in a group, extending and elaborating play ideas, e.g. building up a role-play activity with other children.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates play, offering cues to peers to join them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Keeps play going by responding to what others are saying or doing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Demonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates conversations, attends to and takes account of what others say.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan activities that require collaboration, such as parachute activities and ring games.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)