8mo–20mo10 minMealtimeFree playSelf-care
Spoon, Cup, Teddy!
A quick everyday game where you asks for familiar objects by name and your child practises choosing or fetching the right one from a small group.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2-3 familiar objects (e.g., cup, spoon, teddy or ball)
- a small bowl/box or basket (to 'post' objects into)
Nice to have
- an extra familiar item (e.g., shoes, hat)
- a light cloth or small cushion (for gentle hiding)
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
- MilestoneSelects or finds named objectMind· 10mo–19mo· core
- MilestoneIdentifies named objectsMind· 13mo–2.1y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands simple spoken instructionsMind· 14mo–18mo· stretch
- MilestoneFollows unsupported spoken requestsMind· 12mo–15mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar single wordsMind· 7mo–14mo· core
- MilestoneFollows two spoken directionsMind· 16mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneFinds a visibly hidden objectMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestonePuts object into containerBody· 9mo–12mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Selects familiar objects by name and will go and find objects when asked, or identify objects from a group.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Understanding of single words in context is developing, e.g. ‘cup’, ‘milk’, ‘daddy’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Understands simple sentences (e.g. ‘Throw the ball.’)Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — construct-derived activity authored from enriched DM2012 construct