3.3y–5y10 minFree playOutdoorDevelopmental play
Tape Track Boundaries
Mark simple boundaries for balls or wheeled toys (road, stop line, parking zone) so your child can practise self-regulation, controlled movement, and careful handling of tools/materials while setting up and playing.
What you'll need
Essentials
- masking tape (or chalk/string outdoors)
- a ball or a wheeled toy (toy car/ride-on/push toy)
- paper and a marker (for simple signs like STOP/GO)
Nice to have
- a small box/basket as a ‘garage’ or ‘goal’
- child-safe scissors (adult supervised) to cut tape/paper
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
- MilestoneShows increasing control over an object in pushing, patting, throwing, catching or kicking it.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneManipulates materials to achieve a planned effect.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneHandles varied tools with controlBody· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneReceptive opposite understandingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUses simple tools and techniques competently and appropriately.Body· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneWrites name-related lettersMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneShows understanding of how to transport and store equipment safely.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUses finger-thumb pencil graspBody· 2.8y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneUses child scissorsBody· 2.9y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneProduces recognizable pencil writingMind· 4y–4.5y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Uses simple tools to effect changes to materials.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Handles tools, objects, construction and malleable materials safely and with increasing control.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- They handle equipment and tools effectively, including pencils for writing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a pencil and holds it effectively to form recognisable letters, most of which are correctly formed.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Mark out boundaries for some activities, such as games involving wheeled toys or balls, so that children can more easily regulate their own activities.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)