2.5y–4.2y10 minFamily timeFree playSocial play
Special Time to Small Group Bridge
A short activity that starts with 1:1 ‘key person’ connection and then gently bridges to small-group interaction, helping your child practise inviting, turn-taking, and keeping shared play going.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a child-chosen toy or activity (blocks, cars, dolls, drawing)
- 1-2 extra toys (or a sibling/another adult if available)
Nice to have
- paper and crayons
- a small snack item to ‘serve’ in pretend play
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
- MilestoneCooperative peer playHeart· 2.7y–3.8y· core
- MilestoneDemonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults.Heart· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Steps 2, 3, 4
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSeeks play with other childrenHeart· 3y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneSeeks out others to share experiences.Heart· 14mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneJoins other children in playHeart· 2.3y–3.2y· core
What it practices
- Initiates conversations, attends to and takes account of what others say.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Keeps play going by responding to what others are saying or doing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates play, offering cues to peers to join them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- 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
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Ensure children have opportunities to relate to their key person, individually and in small groups.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)