3.3y–5y12 minFree playFamily timeChore time
Tool Try-Out Tinker Time
Help you set up a safe, household ‘tinker tray’ where your child explores materials and tools that work in different ways for different purposes (mixing, shining light, sticking, pulling), and practises choosing the right tool for a goal.
What you'll need
Essentials
- egg whisk or spoon
- flashlight/torch
- tape (masking tape or similar)
- string/ribbon
- 2–3 cups/containers (plastic preferred)
Nice to have
- paper and marker for ‘challenge cards’
- blocks or small boxes for building
- a phone voice recorder (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
- MilestoneSelects tools and techniques needed to shape, assemble and join materials they are using.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneShows object-function knowledgeMind· 2.7y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneSelects appropriate resources and adapts work where necessary.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneManipulates materials to achieve a planned effect.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Steps 2, 4
- MilestoneChanges materials with simple toolsBody· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneBuilds with non-block construction piecesBody· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Early Learning Goal Children recognise that a range of technology is used in places such as homes and schools. They select and use technology for particular purposes.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Looks closely at similarities, differences, patterns and change.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide a range of materials and objects to play with that work in different ways for different purposes, for example, egg whisk, torch, other household implements, pulleys, construction kits and tape recorder.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)