Small world play can take place in many locations – in a small tray that can be moved around on a table in a corner of the garden, or in the sandpit... the opportunities are endless!

Some ideas for small world play include:

• Farm/jungle/zoo
• Dinosaurs
• Ocean
• Pirates
• Fairies
• Petrol station
• Castles/medieval
• Superhero
• City
• Insects in the garden
• Construction site
• Camping
• Hospitals

Arrange the resources in a way that looks inviting, interactive and that children can extend if they wish. There are some great examples of ideas for small world play on the internet if you need more inspiration.

Ways to develop numeracy through play

• Notice aspects of 2D and 3D objects.
• Group and sort items into size, shape, colour.
• Quantify my world – count the items in their small world – how many animals, dinosaurs etc?
• Spatial awareness – use the position, location, arrangement and movement of objects for a purpose; finding items to fit in their world or making all the elements they want fit.

Ways to develop literacy through play

• Small world play supports children’s emotional wellbeing by allowing them the opportunity to safely re-enact certain experiences and reflect on their feelings. This play allows them to practise emotional language.
• Adding some sensory elements to the small world play can enhance children’s curiosity and interest in the play as it will engage more of their senses.
• Sensory elements – water, playdough, fresh herbs, natural collections such as shells, stones, rocks, pinecones or leaves.
• Books and small world play/literacy table – make a small world based on a loved book eg Dear Zoo by Rod Campbell, with the animals from the book and different sized boxes; Who Sank the Boat? by Pamela Allen, with animals from the book, a boat, a jetty and some water (either real or a blue cloth); Classics such as The Gingerbread Man, Three Billy Goats Gruff or The Three Little Pigs.

• In your playgroup session, have a ‘making table’ with loads of junk construction materials for children to make things for their small world. Make buildings out of cereal boxes; tunnels out of cardboard pipe; trees out of cardboard rolls and leaves or dolls furniture from recycled bits and pieces.
• Pick veggies and herbs from the garden, stand them up in playdough to make realistic, natural, sensory trees and greenery.
• Small world play for babies: keep it simple, with only a few elements, eg a blanket over some cushions to make mountains, and add dinosaurs or animals; make a road on the floor with masking tape and add easy-to-grasp cars.

Play prompts:

• Noticing and naming what the children are doing (say what you see) confirms that they have good ideas, that you’re interested and present with them, but is less intrusive than asking questions.
• Emotional language: notice what the children are doing and give their play emotional language when possible. “I see your dinosaur is roaring! He’s feeling cross and being loud!” “You’re making your baby doll cry, it’s feeling sad. I wonder what it needs?”

Parents or carers can:

• Comment on what their children are doing (say what you see).
• Talk in their home language.
• Use literacy and numeracy words (see words to use section above).

You can help families by:

• Modelling what you want them to do.
• Talking to them about the focus of the activity and what children might be learning.
• Writing up words that go with the activity.
• Making suggestions on what families can do at home.

Great Start activities are for parents and carers to do with their children.

• Build it – build it higher