16mo–2.2y10 minActive playFree playFamily time
Stretchy Shapes: Reach, Curl, Twist
A playful 16–26 month movement-and-hands routine where your child stretches, reaches, curls, twists and turns, then practises page-turning and careful pouring to build whole-body control alongside fine-motor control.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a clear floor space
- a small scarf/towel (or soft cloth)
- a sturdy board book
- two bowls/containers
- a small cup or child-safe jug
- water (or dry cereal/pasta as a no-spill alternative)
Nice to have
- masking tape to mark a ‘left’ and ‘right’ spot for the bowls
- a small soft toy for ‘show and tell’ during page turning
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
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneIndependent page turningBody· 10mo–22mo· core
- MilestoneEnjoys filling and emptying containers.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneScribbles or makes marksBody· 12mo–22mo· stretch
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage body tension activities such as stretching, reaching, curling, twisting and turning.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)