16mo–2.2y10 minFree playActive playOutdoor
Yes-Space Movers: Freedom With Watchful Safety
A quick environment-and-interaction activity where you creates a ‘yes space’ and then follows your child’s chosen movements with calm supervision, simple safety cues, and responsive narration to support autonomy and self-management.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a clear floor area (indoors or outdoors)
- soft items to create safe boundaries (pillows, cushions, folded blankets)
Nice to have
- a low, stable object for pushing/pulling (laundry basket or sturdy box)
- a rolled towel to mark a boundary line
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneDemonstrates sense of self as an individual, e.g. wants to do things independently, says “No” to adult.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneResponds to a few appropriate boundaries, with encouragement and support.Heart· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneStops when instructedHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneExplores with caregiver as secure baseHeart· 10mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneUses familiar adult support in new situationsHeart· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneSingle channelled attention. Can shift to a different task if attention fully obtained – using child’s name helps focus.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneUnderstands no or prohibitive wordsMind· 9mo–18mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneHelps with simple household tasksHeart· 18mo–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneRemembers where objects belong.Mind· 20mo–2.7y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneParticipates in hygiene routinesBody· 15mo–2.3y· stretch
What it practices
- Develops own likes and dislikes in food and drink.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Willing to try new food textures and tastes.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds cup with both hands and drinks without much spilling.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Clearly communicates wet or soiled nappy or pants.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows some awareness of bladder and bowel urges.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows awareness of what a potty or toilet is used for.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows a desire to help with dressing/undressing and hygiene routines.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Gradually able to engage in pretend play with toys (supports child to understand their own thinking may be different from others).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Demonstrates sense of self as an individual, e.g. wants to do things independently, says “No” to adult.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide safe surroundings in which young children have freedom to move as they want, while being kept safe by watchful adults.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)