Reading & talking

Sounds Around Us

Stops and listens when you ask
Names three everyday sounds (a car, a bird, a door)
Joins in with the words or actions of two rhymes

Look at a Book

Holds a book the right way up and turns pages
Points to a named picture on the page
Names five things in a favourite book

Little Pretend Conversations

Takes a turn in a pretend exchange using an action or word
Makes or responds to a simple request with support
Offers a welcoming action in pretend play

Tell Me About This Picture

Shares attention to a chosen picture
Shows or names an action with support
Recognises a familiar detail when returning to a picture

Writing & pencil control

Busy Fingers

Holds a crayon and makes marks on purpose
Copies an up-and-down line and a round scribble
Tears paper into big pieces and squeezes dough

Finger and Crayon Marks

Makes a chosen mark with a finger or crayon
Gives a mark meaning through words or gestures
Shares a marked page or points it out to someone

Big Water Paths

Makes or directs a broad mark with a damp cloth
Tries a change of direction with support
Pauses a movement near a chosen finishing place

Numbers & shapes

Colours Everywhere

Matches objects of the same colour
Sorts a mixed pile into two colour groups
Names two or three colours correctly

One, Two, Three

Says the numbers from 1 to 5 in order
Hands you one or two things when you ask
Counts three objects, touching each one once

One for Each

Places one item at each of two places
Notices an empty place with an adult's prompt
Matches three items to three places with support

Big and Small

Picks the big one or the small one when asked
Stacks three nesting cups in order
Uses the words 'big' and 'small' on their own

In, On and Under

Puts an object in a box after a demonstration
Shows on by placing an object on a cushion
Finds an object under a cloth

Shapes to Post

Posts a round and a square shape into the right holes
Matches three objects to their outlines
Points to a circle when you ask

Science & our world

Hello, Me!

Points to five body parts when you name them
Says the names of at least three body parts
Shows how we wash our hands

Soft, Smooth and Bumpy

Explores a safe texture in a way they choose
Responds to a texture word by pointing, choosing or speaking
Matches two familiar objects with a similar feel with help

Animal Friends

Names six animals from pictures
Makes the sound of four animals
Says or shows that a fish lives in water and a familiar bird can fly

Day and Night

Says whether it is day or night
Names one thing we do in the day and one at night
Follows a picture bedtime routine

People and Places at Home

Recognises a familiar person in a shared drawing or conversation
Links a familiar activity with a space at home
Matches two familiar pictures with help

Thinking & feelings

Happy, Sad, Cross

Points to a happy face and a sad face
Names one of their own feelings
Takes turns in a simple game with an adult

Same and Different

Finds three matching pairs
Picks the odd one out from four objects
Uses the word 'same' when matching

Copy a Simple Pattern

Joins in with part of a repeated action pattern
Copies a short object pattern with adult help
Chooses a next item after hearing the pattern again

Where Did Our Toy Go?

Notices a partly hidden familiar toy
Finds a covered toy with a pointing cue or help
Joins in hiding or revealing a toy with an adult

Moving & making

Move, Stop and Roll

Joins in with a move-and-stop game with support
Reaches towards a nearby toy in a comfortable position
Rolls a soft ball towards a partner with help

Big Shapes, Little Builds

Uses both hands to place a large piece with support
Joins in making and taking apart a low construction
Chooses where to put a shape in a picture

Feelings in Music and Play

Explores tapping or moving with an adult's beat
Chooses a movement to express a feeling
Joins a short pretend scene through a gesture, action or word

Press, Lift and Find Colours

Joins in pressing and lifting a large tool with help
Chooses a colour or place for a mark
Finds or points to a matching colour during shared play

Our Pretend Kitchen Sounds

Uses a large utensil in a pretend action with support
Notices or chooses between two gentle household sounds
Uses a sound or gesture for a purpose in pretend play

Playgroup: what your child can do.

📖 Reading & talking

✏️ Writing & pencil control

🔢 Numbers & shapes

🔬 Science & our world

🧩 Thinking & feelings

🎨 Moving & making

Reading & talking

Writing & pencil control

Numbers & shapes

Science & our world

Thinking & feelings

Moving & making