—10 minSelf-careOutdoorChore time
Step-Step Up the Stairs
A closely supervised stair/step routine that helps your child practise using alternate feet for a short run of steps, with pauses and simple cues from you.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a short set of safe steps/stairs (2–4 steps is enough to start)
- a handrail/wall or an adult hand for support
Nice to have
- masking tape or sticky notes (to mark ‘pause spots’)
- a small soft item to carry (sock/soft toy)
- chalk (for outdoor steps)
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
- MilestoneAlternates feet upstairs with supportBody· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneClimbs stairs with helpBody· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneBalances on one foot with helpBody· 2.7y–3.5y· stretch
- MilestoneImitates multi step actionsMind· 2.8y–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneStops when instructedHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneClimbs playground equipmentBody· 3.3y–5y· core
What it practices
- Mounts stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Moves freely and with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can stand momentarily on one foot when shown.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