3.3y–5y9 minOutdoorFamily timeQuiet time
Weather Detective: Draw a Conclusion
A short observation-and-reasoning chat where your child looks for clues (like a dark sky) and practices drawing a simple conclusion and explaining it with ‘because’.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a window view to look outside (or a quick look outdoors)
- paper and pencil/crayon
- two household items to choose from (e.g., umbrella/hoodie, sunhat/coat, or two pictures you draw)
Nice to have
- phone photo of the sky (taken now)
- a timer (to check again later)
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
- MilestoneExplains causesMind· 3.8y–4.6y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneSays what will happen nextMind· 2.5y–4y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneComplex connected sentencesMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneShows object-function knowledgeMind· 2.7y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSustains back-and-forth conversationMind· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneLonger sentencesMind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 1
What it practices
- Children follow instructions involving several ideas or actions. They answer ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about their experiences and in response to stories or events.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Listens and responds to ideas expressed by others in conversation or discussion.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Responds to instructions involving a two-part sequence.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children to draw conclusions: ‘The sky has gone dark. It must be going to rain’”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)