2.5y–4.2y10 minFree playFamily timeDevelopmental play
Twist & Turn Helper Mission
A hands-on game where you supports your child to practise twisting and turning simple controls on safe everyday items.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 safe twist/turn items (e.g., jar with lid, bottle with cap, torch with twist switch, kitchen timer dial)
- a tray or towel to work on
- a small cloth for wiping
Nice to have
- an old remote control or toy phone (batteries removed if possible)
- a wind-up toy (optional)
- a phone 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
- MilestoneTwists mechanismsBody· 2y–3.5y· core
- MilestoneActivates buttons and switchesBody· 2y–2.5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneShows skill in making toys work by pressing parts or lifting flaps to achieve effects such as sound, movements or new images.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch
- MilestoneFollows instructions with several steps or actionsMind· 3.3y–4y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows ordered multi-step directionsMind· 4y–5.6y· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Knows how to operate simple equipment, e.g. turns on CD player and uses remote control.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows skill in making toys work by pressing parts or lifting flaps to achieve effects such as sound, movements or new images.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows an interest in technological toys with knobs or pulleys, or real objects such as cameras or mobile phones.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Support and extend the skills children develop as they become familiar with simple equipment, such as twisting or turning a knob.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)