Here are some activities to try which follow the EYFS learning & development goals.
Personal, Social and Emotional
Encourage them to say please and thank you.
Encourage them to take their own coat on and off.
When playing with them, support them in sharing toys.
Allow them to choose some toys themselves and reflect on opinions about these toys; e.g. this is my favourite doll/car.
Encourage your child to be able to go to the toilet unaided when ready to do so.
Support them in taking turns with others.
Encourage them to talk about their feelings.
Mathematical Development
Practice counting groups of objects in pictures and stories; pose questions such as how many altogether? Which number is one more?
Count aloud with them saying the names of numbers clearly.
Show numbers to them (perhaps on number cards).
Sing songs or rhymes with numbers in them; 10 In The Bed, 5 Little Ducks, 10 Fat Sausages etc.
Read stories with numbers in them, e.g. The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Use mathematical language; add, take away, number names.
Count using fingers.
Point to and say numbers around the house.
Encourage them to identify shapes around them
Apply mathematics to real life; shape, money, amounts of objects etc.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Talk to tham about special times; birthdays, baptism and other key events in their lives and the lives of others they know.
Encourage them to explore their surroundings, particularly in the outdoor area.
Allow them to observe animals and describe them.
Allow them to use simple tools, such as a small hand trowel.
Encourage them to feel different textured objects and describe, rough, smooth, soft etc.
Physical Development
Encourage them to handle small and large equipment.
Allow them to use scissors to develop these skills at an appropriate age
Allow them to run, hop, skip, jump and find different ways of travelling.
Play games such as follow the leader and change actions to develop motor skills and coordination.
Discuss changes to their bodies after exercise; heart beating faster, feeling hot etc.
Reading and Writing
Allow them to select books for themselves; ones that interest him/her.
Encourage older children to ‘read’ what is happening in the pictures. Prompt them to tell you a sentence about what is happening.
To increase vocabulary and identify sounds: play word games such as I spy.
Sing alphabet songs and talk about the names of the letter and the sounds that they make.
Make shapes of letters out of play dough; write them in sand, write their own name in the air etc.
Encourage them to sing/say songs and rhymes and tell you their own stories.
Ask them about words that rhyme, e.g. house and mouse.
Creative Development
Allow them to listen to and sing songs and rhymes.
Engage role-play with them, like doctors, banks, post office etc. Use puppets for younger children.
Explore different media; paint, pencils, crayons.
Using scissors and glue encourage cutting and sticking activities.
Dance to songs and make up actions to complement; e.g. Wheels on the Bus.
Personal, Social and Emotional
Encourage them to say please and thank you.
Encourage them to take their own coat on and off.
When playing with them, support them in sharing toys.
Allow them to choose some toys themselves and reflect on opinions about these toys; e.g. this is my favourite doll/car.
Encourage your child to be able to go to the toilet unaided when ready to do so.
Support them in taking turns with others.
Encourage them to talk about their feelings.
Mathematical Development
Practice counting groups of objects in pictures and stories; pose questions such as how many altogether? Which number is one more?
Count aloud with them saying the names of numbers clearly.
Show numbers to them (perhaps on number cards).
Sing songs or rhymes with numbers in them; 10 In The Bed, 5 Little Ducks, 10 Fat Sausages etc.
Read stories with numbers in them, e.g. The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
Use mathematical language; add, take away, number names.
Count using fingers.
Point to and say numbers around the house.
Encourage them to identify shapes around them
Apply mathematics to real life; shape, money, amounts of objects etc.
Knowledge and Understanding of the World
Talk to tham about special times; birthdays, baptism and other key events in their lives and the lives of others they know.
Encourage them to explore their surroundings, particularly in the outdoor area.
Allow them to observe animals and describe them.
Allow them to use simple tools, such as a small hand trowel.
Encourage them to feel different textured objects and describe, rough, smooth, soft etc.
Physical Development
Encourage them to handle small and large equipment.
Allow them to use scissors to develop these skills at an appropriate age
Allow them to run, hop, skip, jump and find different ways of travelling.
Play games such as follow the leader and change actions to develop motor skills and coordination.
Discuss changes to their bodies after exercise; heart beating faster, feeling hot etc.
Reading and Writing
Allow them to select books for themselves; ones that interest him/her.
Encourage older children to ‘read’ what is happening in the pictures. Prompt them to tell you a sentence about what is happening.
To increase vocabulary and identify sounds: play word games such as I spy.
Sing alphabet songs and talk about the names of the letter and the sounds that they make.
Make shapes of letters out of play dough; write them in sand, write their own name in the air etc.
Encourage them to sing/say songs and rhymes and tell you their own stories.
Ask them about words that rhyme, e.g. house and mouse.
Creative Development
Allow them to listen to and sing songs and rhymes.
Engage role-play with them, like doctors, banks, post office etc. Use puppets for younger children.
Explore different media; paint, pencils, crayons.
Using scissors and glue encourage cutting and sticking activities.
Dance to songs and make up actions to complement; e.g. Wheels on the Bus.
