© Dimensions Curriculum Ltd. 2012
MAKING RELATIONSHIPS
SELF CONFIDENCE AND SELF AWARENESS
MANAGING FEELINGS AND
BEHAVIOURPSED1 Plays alongside others (DM 16-26 months)
PSED2 Plays cooperatively with a familiar adult (DM 16-26 months)
PSED3 Interested in others’ play and starting to join in (DM 22-36 months)
PSED4 Seeks out others to share experiences (DM 22-36 months)
PSED5 May form a special friendship with another child (DM 22-36 months)
PSED6 Plays in a group, extending and elaborating play ideas (DM 30-50 months)
PSED7 Initiates play, offering cues to peers to join in (DM 30-50 months)
PSED8 Responds to what others say or do and keeps play going (DM 30-50 months)
PSED9 Demonstrates friendly behaviour, initiating conversations and forming good relationships with peers and familiar adults (DM 30-50 months)
PSED10 Explores new toys and environments but ‘checks’ in regularly with familiar adult as and when needed (DM 16-26 months)
PSED11 Gradually able to engage in pretend play with toys (DM 16-26 months)
PSED12 Demonstrates sense of self as an individual (DM 16-26 months)
PSED13 Separates from main carer with support and encouragement from a familiar adult (DM 22-36 months)
PSED14 Expresses own preferences and interests (DM 22-36 months)
PSED15 Selects and uses activities and resources with help (DM 30-50 months)
PSED16 Enjoys responsibility of carrying out small tasks (DM 30-50 months)
PSED17 Talks confidently to other children when playing (DM 30-50 months)
PSED18 Communicates freely about own home and community (DM 30-50 months)
PSED19 Shows confidence in asking adults for help (DM 30-50 months)
PSED20 Can express their own feelings such as sad, happy, cross, scared, worried (DM 22-36 months)
PSED21 Can inhibit own actions/behaviours (DM 22-36 months)
PSED22 Can distract self when upset (DM 22-36 months)
PSED23 Begins to accept the needs of others (DM 30-50 months)
PSED24 Takes turns and shares resources, sometimes with support (DM 30-50 months)
PSED25 Adapts behaviour to different events, social situations and changes in routine (DM 30-50 months)
LISTENING AND ATTENTION UNDERSTANDINGCL1 Listens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories (DM 16 – 26 months)
CL2 Demonstrates listening by trying to join in rhymes with actions or vocalisations (DM 16 – 26 months)
CL3 Listens with interest to the noises adults make when they read stories (DM 22-36 months)
CL4 Recognises and responds to many familiar sounds (DM 22-36 months)
CL5 Has single channelled attention. Can shift to a different task if attention fully obtained (DM 22-36 months)
CL6 Listens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them (DM 30-50 months)
CL7 Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall (DM 30-50 months)
CL8 Joins in with repeated refrains (DM 30-50 months)
CL9 Anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories (DM 30-50 months)
CL10 Focuses attention – still listen or do but can shift own attention (DM 30-50 months)
CL11 Can follow directions (if not intently focussed on own choice of activity) (DM 30-50 months)
CL12 Selects familiar objects by name and will go and find objects when asked, or identify objects from a group (DM 16-26 months)
CL13 Identifies action words by pointing to the right picture (DM 22-36 months)
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© Dimensions Curriculum Ltd. 2012
SPEAKINGCL14 Copies familiar expressions (DM 16-26 months)
CL15 Beginning to put two words together (DM 16-26 months)
CL16 Uses different types of everyday words – nouns, verbs and adjectives (DM 16-26 months)
CL17 Beginning to ask simple questions (DM 16-26 months)
CL18 Beginning to talk about people and things that are not present (DM 16-26 months)
CL19 Uses language as a powerful means of widening contacts, sharing feelings, experiences and thoughts (DM 22-36 months)
CL20 Holds a conversation, jumping from topic to topic (DM 22-36 months)
CL21 Learns new words very rapidly and is able to use them in communicating (DM 22-36 months)
CL22 Uses gestures, sometimes with limited talk (DM 22-36 months)
CL23 Uses a variety of questions (DM 22-36 months)
CL24 Uses simple sentences (DM 22-36 months)
CL25 Beginning to use word endings (DM 22-36 months)
CL26 Beginning to use more complex sentences to link thoughts (DM 30-50 months)
CL27 Can retell a simple past event in correct order (DM 30-50 months)
CL28 Uses talk to connect ideas, explain what is happening and anticipate what might happen next, recall and relive past experiences (DM 30-50 months)
CL29 Questions why things happen and gives explanations (DM 30-50 months)
CL30 Uses a range of tenses (DM 30-50 months)
CL31 Uses intonation, rhythm and phrasing to make meaning clear to others (DM 30-50 months)
CL32 Uses vocabulary focused on objects and people that are of particular importance to them (DM 30-50 months)
CL33 Builds up vocabulary that reflects the breadth of their experiences (DM 30-50 months)
CL34 Uses talk in pretending that objects stand for something else in play (DM 30-50 months)
MOVING AND HANDLINGPD1 Walks upstairs, holding hand of adult (DM 16-26 months)
PD2 Comes downstairs backwards on knees (crawling) (DM 16-26 months)
PD3 Beginning to balance blocks to build a small tower (DM 16-26 months)
PD4 Runs safely on whole foot (DM 22-36 months)
PD5 Squats with steadiness to rest or play with object on the ground, and rises to feet without using hands (DM 22-36 months)
PD6 Climbs confidently and is beginning to pull themselves up on nursery play climbing equipment (DM 22-36 months)
PD7 Can kick a large ball (DM 22-36 months)
PD8 Turns pages in a book, sometimes several at once (DM 22-36 months)
PD9 Shows control in holding and using jugs to pour, hammers, books and mark-making tools (DM 22-36 months)
PD10 Beginning to use three fingers (tripod grip) to hold writing tools (DM 22-36 months)
PD11 Imitates drawing simple shapes such as circles or lines (DM 22-36 months)
PD12 Walks upstairs or downstairs holding onto a rail two feet
PD13 May be beginning to show preference for dominant hand (DM 22-36 months)
PD14 Moves freely and with pleasure and confidence in a range of ways, such as slithering, shuffling, rolling, crawling, walking, running, jumping, skipping, sliding and hopping (DM 30-50 months)
PD15 Mounts stairs, steps or climbing equipment using alternate feet (DM 30-50 months)
PD16 Walks downstairs, two feet to each step while carrying a small object (DM 30-50 months)
PD17 Runs skilfully and negotiates space successfully, adjusting speed or direction to avoid obstacles (DM 30-50 months)
PD18 Can stand momentarily on one foot when shown (DM 30-50 months)
PD19 Can catch a large ball (DM 30-50 months)
PD20 Draws lines and circles using gross motor movements (DM 30-50 months)
PD21 Uses one-handed tools and equipment such as scissors (DM 30-50 months)
PD22 Holds pencil between thumb and two fingers, no longer using whole-hand grasp (DM 30-50 months)
PD23 Holds pencil near point between first two fingers and thumb and use it with good control (DM 30-50 months)
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to a step (DM 22-36 months)PD24 Can copy some letters such as ones in their name (DM 30-50 months)
HEALTH AND SELF-CAREPD25 Holds cup with both hands and drinks without much spilling (DM 16-26 months)
PD26 Clearly communicates wet or soiled nappy or pants (DM 16-26 months)
PD27 Shows some awareness of bladder and bowel urges (DM 16-26 months)
PD28 Shows awareness of what a potty or toilet is used for (DM 16-26 months)
PD29 Shows a desire to help with dressing/undressing and hygiene routines (DM 16-26 months)
PD30 Feeds self competently with spoon (DM 22-36 months)
PD31 Drinks well without spilling (DM 22-36 months)
PD32 Clearly communicates their need for potty or toilet (DM 22-36 months)
PD33 Beginning to recognise danger and seeks support of significant adults for help (DM 22-36 months)
PD34 Helps with clothing (DM 22-36 months)
PD35 Beginning to be independent in self-care, but still often needs adult support (DM 22-36 months)
PD36 Can tell adults when hungry or tired or when they want to rest or play (DM 30-50 months)
PD37 Observes the effects of activity on their bodies (DM 30-50 months)
PD38 Gains more bowel and bladder control and can attend to toileting needs most of the time themselves (DM 30-50 months)
PD39 Can usually manage washing and drying hands (DM 30-50 months)
PD40 Dresses with help (DM 30-50 months)
© Dimensions Curriculum Ltd. 2012
READING WRITINGL1 Repeats words or phrases from familiar stories (DM 22-36 months)
L2 Fills in the missing word or phrase in a known rhyme, story or game (DM 22-36 months)
L3 Shows awareness of rhyme and alliteration (DM 30-50 months)
L4 Recognises rhythm in spoken words (DM 30-50 months)
L5 Listens to and joins in with stories and poems, one to one and also in small groups (DM 30-50 months)
L6 Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories (DM 30-50 months)
L7 Suggests how a story might end (DM 30-50 months)
L8 Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall (DM 30-50 months)
L9 Describes main story settings, events and principal characters (DM 30-50 months)
L10 Recognises familiar words and signs such as own name and advertising logos (DM 30-50 months)
L14 Distinguishes between the different marks they make (DM 22-36 months)
L15 Sometimes gives meaning to marks as they draw and paint (DM 30-50 months)
L16 Ascribes meanings to marks that they see in different places (DM 30-50 months)
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L11 Looks at books independently (DM 30-50 months)
L12 Handles books carefully (DM 30-50 months)
L13 Holds books the correct way up and turn pages (DM 30-50 months)
SHAPE, SPACE AND MEASURE
© Dimensions Curriculum Ltd. 2012
NUMBERSM1 Beginning to organise and categorise objects (DM 16-26 months)
M2 Says some counting words randomly (DM 16-26 months)
M3 Selects a small group of objects from a group when asked (DM 22-36 months)
M4 Recites some number names in sequence (DM 22-36 months)
M5 Creates and experiments with symbols and marks representing ideas of number (DM 22-36 months)
M6 Begins to make comparisons between quantities (DM 22-36 months)
M7 Uses some language of quantities, such as ‘more’ and ‘a lot’ (DM 22-36 months)
M8 Uses some number names and number language spontaneously (DM 30-50 months)
M9 Uses some number names accurately in play (DM 30-50 months)
M10 Recites numbers in order to 10 (DM 30-50 months)
M11 Beginning to represent numbers using fingers, marks on paper or pictures (DM 30-50 months)
M12 Sometimes matches numeral and quantity correctly (DM 30-50 months)
M13 Shows curiosity about numbers by offering comments or asking questions (DM 30-50 months)
M14 Compares two groups of objects, saying when they have the same number (DM 30-50 months)
M15 Separates a group of three or four objects in different ways and begins to recognise that the total is still the same (DM 30-50 months)
M16 Attempts, sometimes successfully, to fit shapes into spaces on inset boards or jigsaw puzzles (DM 16-26 months)
M17 Uses blocks to create their own simple structures and arrangements (DM 16-26 months)
M18 Notices simple shapes and patterns in pictures (DM 22-36 months)
M19 Beginning to categorise objects according to properties such as shape or size (DM 22-36 months)
M20 Begins to use the language of size (DM 22-36 months)
M21 Anticipates specific time-based events such as mealtimes or home time (DM 22-36 months)
M22 Shows an interest in shape and space by playing with shapes or making arrangements with objects (DM 30-50 months)
M23 Shows awareness of similarities of shapes in the environment (DM 30-50 months)
M24 Uses positional language (DM 30-50 months)
M25 Shows interest in shape by sustained construction activity or by talking about shapes or arrangements (DM 30-50 months)
M26 Uses shapes appropriately for tasks (DM 30-50 months)
M27 Beginning to talk about the shapes of everyday objects (DM 30-50 months)
© Dimensions Curriculum Ltd. 2012
PEOPLE AND COMMUNITIES
THE WORLD TECHNOLOGY
UW1 Is curious about people and shows interest in stories about themselves and their family (DM 16-26 months)
UW2 In pretend play, imitates everyday actions and events from own family and cultural background (DM 22-36 months)
UW3 Beginning to have their own friends (DM 22-36 months)
UW4 Shows interest in the lives of people who are familiar to them (DM 30-50 months)
UW5 Remembers and talks about significant events in their own experience (DM 30-50 months)
UW6 Recognises and describes special times or events for family or friends (DM 30-50 months)
UW7 Shows interest in different occupations and ways of life (DM 30-50 months)
UW8 Talks about some of the similarities and differences in relation to friends or family (DM 30-50 months)
UW9 Explores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking (DM16-26 months)
UW10 Remembers where objects belong (DM 16-26 months)
UW11 Matches parts of objects that fit together (DM 16-26 months)
UW12 Notices detailed features of objects in their environment (DM 22-36 months)
UW13 Comments and asks questions about aspects of their familiar world such as the place where they live or the natural world (DM 30-50 months)
UW14 Can talk about some of the things they have observed such as plants, animals, natural and found objects (DM 30-50 months)
UW15 Talks about why things happen and how things work (DM 30-50 months)
UW16 Shows care and concern for living things and the environment (DM 30-50 months)
UW17 Anticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions (DM 16-26 months)
UW18 Shows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning to learn to operate them (DM 16-26 months)
UW19 Seeks to acquire basic skills in turning on and operating some ICT equipment (DM 22-36 months)
UW20 Operates mechanical toys (DM 22-36 months)
UW21 Operates simple equipment such as turning on a CD player or using a remote control (DM 30-50 months)
UW22 Shows skill in making toys work by pressing parts or lifting flaps to achieve effects such as sound, movements or new images (DM 30-50 months)
© Dimensions Curriculum Ltd. 2012
EXPLORING AND USING MEDIA AND MATERIALSEAD1 Explores and experiments with a range of media through sensory exploration, and using whole body (DM 16-26 months)
EAD2 Moves their whole body to sounds they enjoy, such as music or a regular beat (DM 16-26 months)
EAD3 Imitates and improvises actions they have observed such as clapping or waving (DM 16-26 months)
EAD4 Begins to move to music, listen to or join in rhymes or songs (DM 16-26 months)
EAD5 Notices, and is interested in the effects of making movements which leave marks (DM 16-26 months)
EAD6 Joins in singing favourite songs (DM 22-36 months)
EAD7 Creates sounds by banging, shaking, tapping or blowing (DM 22-36 months)
EAD8 Experiments with blocks, colours and marks (DM 22-36 months)
EAD9 Enjoys joining in with dancing and ring games (DM 30-50 months)
EAD10 Sings a few familiar songs (DM 30-50 months)
EAD11 Begins to move rhythmically (DM 30-50 months)
EAD12 Imitates movement in response to music (DM 30-50 months)
EAD13 Taps out simple repeated rhythms (DM 30-50 months)
EAD14 Explores and learns how sounds can be changed (DM 30-50 months)
EAD15 Explores colour and how colours can be changed (DM 30-50 months)
EAD16 Beginning to be interested in and describe the texture of things (DM 30-50 months)
EAD17 Uses various construction materials (DM 30-50 months)
EAD18 Beginning to construct, stacking blocks vertically and horizontally, making enclosures and creating spaces (DM 30-50 months)
EAD19 Joins construction pieces together to build and balance (DM 30-50 months)
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BEING IMAGINATIVEEAD20 Expresses self through physical action and sound (DM 16-26 months)
EAD21 Pretends that one object represents another, especially when objects have characteristics in common (DM 16-26 months)
EAD22 Beginning to use representation to communicate (DM 22-36 months)
EAD23 Beginning to make-believe by pretending (DM 22-36 months)
EAD24 Uses movement to express feelings (DM 30-50 months)
EAD25 Creates movement in response to music (DM 30-50 months)
EAD26 Sings to self and make up simple songs (DM 30-50 months)
EAD27 Makes up rhythms (DM 30-50 months)
EAD28 Notices what adults do, imitating what is observed and then doing it spontaneously when the adult is not there (DM 30-50 months)
EAD29 Engages in imaginative role-play based on own first-hand experiences (DM 30-50 months)
EAD30 Builds stories around toys (DM 30-50 months)
EAD31 Uses available resources to create props to support role play (DM 30-50 months)
EAD32 Captures experiences and responses with a range of media such as music, dance and paint and other materials or words (DM 30-50 months)
© Dimensions Curriculum Ltd. 2012
