16mo–2.2y10 minFamily timeSocial play
Welcome and Care Circle
A short, warm social routine that helps your child practise welcoming others and showing simple caring actions with family members, siblings, or soft toys.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2-3 soft toys or dolls
- small blanket or tea towel
Nice to have
- small basket or bag
- tissue or small scrap of paper
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
- MilestoneSimple pretend playMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneSeeks out others to share experiences.Heart· 14mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneShows interest in peer playHeart· 14mo–2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneShows affection to familiar peopleHeart· 12mo–2y· core
- MilestoneSupported sharingHeart· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUses single meaningful wordsMind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Involve all children in welcoming and caring for one another.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)