3.3y–5y10 minSocial playWith other childrenFamily time
Viewpoint Switch: Two Toys, Two Stories
Coach the adult to help your child practise perspective-taking using a simple toy scenario, switching viewpoints and co-creating a fair solution without aggression.
What you'll need
Essentials
- two small toys/figures (e.g., animals, dolls, cars)
- one shared toy/object (e.g., a block, spoon, ball)
Nice to have
- paper and a pen to draw two speech bubbles (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
- MilestoneNegotiates peer conflictsHeart· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneVerbalizes empathyHeart· 4y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneDescribes feelings with supportHeart· 4.5y–5.5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneEnacts a pretend roleMind· 3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCreates pretend small world stories with toysMind· 3y–4y· core· Steps 2, 4
- MilestoneAnswers questions about a storyMind· 4y–6y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneReenacts familiar experiencesMind· 2.2y–3.8y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneMaintains control under frustrationHeart· 4.5y–5y· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Understands that own actions affect other people, for example, becomes upset or tries to comfort another child when they realise they have upset them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to be able to negotiate and solve problems without aggression, e.g. when someone has taken their toy.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage children to think about issues from the viewpoint of others.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)