His brothers set this tray up (and provided the background music) so Cian didn’t miss out on Star Wars Day.

Resources

  • Space blanket
  • Mirror
  • Colanders
  • Metal spoons
  • Whisk
  • Potato masher
  • Nail brush
  • Bangles
  • Metal curtain rings
  • Ping pong balls
  • Giggle sticks

Method

Ioan and Finn wanted a silver theme to look like a planet, with bangles and ping pong balls for moons and asteroids. They decided the giggle sticks would make good lightsabers.

The final touch was the Yoda hat, with the added bonus that Cian couldn’t scratch the chicken pox on his head while wearing it!

They sang for the entire time he played!

He started exploring objects, other than the giggle stick.

Look at the concentration as he tries to control the whisk!

He enjoyed his tummy time, as much as we enjoyed watching him playing in his Yoda hat.

DfES Outcomes for EYFS (2013)

Communication and language

Listening and attention (Birth to 11 months)

• Turns towards a familiar sound then locates range of sounds with accuracy.

• Listens to, distinguishes and responds to intonations and sounds of voices.

• Reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.

• Quietens or alerts to the sound of speech.

Speaking

Speaking (Birth to 11 months)

• Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.

• Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.

Physical development

Moving and handling (Birth to 11 months)

• Turns head in response to sounds and sights.

• Gradually develops ability to hold up own head.

• Makes movements with arms and legs which gradually become more controlled.

• Rolls over from front to back, from back to front.

• When lying on tummy becomes able to lift first head and then chest, supporting self with forearms and then straight arms.

  • Watches and explores hands and feet, e.g. when lying on back lifts legs into vertical position and grasps feet.

• Reaches out for, touches and begins to hold objects.

• Explores objects with mouth, often picking up an object and holding it to the mouth.

Personal, social and emotional development

Self-confidence and self-awareness (Birth to 11 months)

• Laughs and gurgles, e.g. shows pleasure at being tickled and other physical interactions.

• Uses voice, gesture, eye contact and facial expression to make contact with people and keep their attention.

Managing feelings and behaviour (Birth to 11 months)

  • Shows a range of emotions such as pleasure, fear and excitement.

Making relationships (Birth to 11 months)

• Enjoys the company of others and seeks contact with others from birth.

• Responds when talked to, for example, moves arms and legs, changes facial expression, moves body and makes mouth movements.

• Recognises and is most responsive to main carer’s voice: face brightens, activity increases when familiar carer appears.