22mo–3y11 minActive playOutdoorMusic
Space and Time to Dance
Guide the adult to intentionally create space and time for movement and dance indoors and outdoors, supporting your child to explore movement qualities, copy, and lead simple dance play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- clear floor space (indoors) OR a safe outdoor space
- music source (your voice OR phone/radio)
Nice to have
- scarf/tea towel for waving
- painter’s tape (to mark a simple ‘dance spot’)
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
- MilestoneMoves rhythmically to musicBody· 11mo–23mo· core
- MilestoneCopies movements to musicBody· 18mo–3.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneStops when instructedHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· stretch
- MilestoneSingle channelled attention. Can shift to a different task if attention fully obtained – using child’s name helps focus.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide space and time for movement and dance both indoors and outdoors.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)