3.3y–5y14 minDevelopmental playChore timeArt
Tool Skills Stations: Scoop, Cut, Write
Three quick ‘stations’ that teach and practise safe, effective tool use (spoon/tongs, scissors, pencil) with lots of repetition and adult coaching.
What you'll need
Essentials
- child-safe scissors
- paper
- pencil/crayon/marker
- a spoon (or child-safe tongs if available)
- two bowls/containers
- large dry items for transferring (e.g., pasta tubes, big beans, or bottle caps)
Nice to have
- glue stick or tape (optional for making a picture from cut pieces)
- tray or baking sheet to contain spills
- timer (optional)
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
- MilestoneControls tools effectivelyBody· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneHandles varied tools with controlBody· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneUses tools and equipment safelyHeart· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneUses child scissorsBody· 2.9y–5y· core
- MilestoneUses scissors safelyBody· 3y–4y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows adult safety guidanceHeart· 2.5y–4y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneWrites name-related lettersMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneAdjusts to stated expectationsHeart· 2.5y–3.7y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneUses finger-thumb pencil graspBody· 2.8y–4y· core
- MilestoneForms recognisable letters independentlyMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneCopies a circleBody· 2.2y–4.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneShows object-function knowledgeMind· 2.7y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies a crossBody· 3y–4y· core· 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
- “Teach children skills of how to use tools and materials effectively and safely and give them opportunities to practise them.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)