Teddy Bears’ Picnic |Toddler Mini-Project Planner
1-week mini-project planner for Toddlers (18–36 months)
A gentle, emotionally rich mini-project that uses familiar comfort objects to support social development, early role play, language for manners and routine, and practical self-help skills.
(This pathway component will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)
What this document is
This document is a 1-week Toddler Mini-Project Planner focused on Teddy Bears’ Picnic for children aged 18–36 months.
It provides a carefully structured but flexible framework that uses soft toys and picnic role play as a safe, familiar context for developing Personal, Social and Emotional Development (PSED), early communication, and collaborative play.
The mini-project is designed to sit naturally within everyday toddler routines and continuous provision, offering a short, purposeful focus that supports emotional security, social language and shared experiences.
It is intended to support professional judgement and reflective practice and does not replace statutory EYFS guidance or Development Matters.
Who this document is for
This mini-project planner is designed for:
Toddler room practitioners (18–36 months)
EYFS teachers and key persons supporting PSED and early role play
Nursery leaders and curriculum coordinators
Childminders working with toddlers
Settings looking for a low-pressure, high-impact social and emotional mini-project
What this document helps you do
This document supports you to:
Use comfort objects (teddies/soft toys) to scaffold social interaction and emotional expression
Develop toddlers’ sharing, turn-taking and manners in a meaningful, playful context
Build language for routine and sequencing (first, next, after) through repeated role play
Support early imaginative play without expecting sustained or complex narratives
Strengthen fine motor and self-help skills through table setting, dressing toys and serving
Clearly explain the pedagogical value of role play to parents, leaders and inspectors
What’s included in this mini-project planner
This mini-project planner provides a complete, practitioner-friendly framework for a coherent 1-week focus, while remaining responsive to children’s interests and emotional needs.
Inside, you’ll find:
A clear Project Intent explaining why teddy-based role play is powerful for toddler PSED
EYFS-aligned Intended Learning Focuses, with a strong emphasis on PSED, C&L and PD
A concise 1-week project overview outlining the core learning intentions
A core and extension vocabulary set, including social language and sequencing words
Environment enhancement guidance for:
picnic preparation and packing
a shared picnic site (indoors or outdoors)
creative and movement-based experiences
Practical adult prompts and interaction language to model manners and emotional awareness
A set of high-impact focus activities to be offered flexibly across the week
Optional 2–5 minute learning bursts for songs, movement, counting and language
Inclusion and differentiation guidance (EAL, sensory needs, SEND)
Family engagement ideas that reinforce manners and routines at home
An evaluation and reflection section to support observation-led next steps
How this fits within our Toddler curriculum framework
This document forms part of our wider Toddler Mini-Project Planner series within the Projects, Themes & Schema-Responsive Contexts pathway, and is designed to be used alongside:
How Projects Work in Toddler Rooms (Guidance)
Schema Coverage & Support Map (Toddler Curriculum)
Continuous Provision Setup Guides (Toddler Room)
Toddler Pedagogy Position Statement (18–36 months)
Mini-projects offer short, emotionally meaningful shared experiences that complement continuous provision, respecting toddlers’ need for familiarity, repetition and relational security.
Additional Project Planners
Main Project Planners (3-4 Weeks)
All About Me & My World
People Who Help Us
Autumn - Senses, Colours & Change
Light, Dark & Celebrations
Winter-Weather, Warmth & Cosy Spaces
Transport & Journeys
Growing & Changing
Animals & Their Homes
Food & Nutrition
Minibeasts & Nature Explorers
Summer - Sand, Sea & Sun
Playful Patterns & Construction
Mini-Project Planners (1 Week)
Big Machines & Building
Cooking & Food Play
Teddy Bears’ Picnic
Colours Everywhere
Water Play Week
My Favourite Things
Rhyme Time Week
Weather Wonders
This document is part of our EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership (Professional), which provides full access to age-specific curriculum frameworks, planning guidance, assessment tools and leadership support.
(This pathway component will be available for download by: March 31st 2026)
Recommended next read Selection
Or read our ‘Little Owls Resources’ Curriculum Intent Statement’
Additional Documents | Professional Membership Contents (Toddler 18-36 Months)
Navigate our Curriculum & Pedagogy guidance documents here.
Pedagogical identity:
Relationship-led, sensory-rich toddler practice grounded in schemas, play, and responsive adult interaction.
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👉 This section prevents over-planning and aligns practice.
Toddler Pedagogy Position Statement – How Toddlers Learn (18–36 Months) [Free Orienting Sample]
Toddler Curriculum Overview & Rationale[Free Orienting Sample]
Curriculum Intent in Toddler Rooms (What It Means — and What It Doesn’t)
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👉 Adult understanding, not child targets.
Progression across 6-month bands (18–24 | 24–30 | 30–36 months)
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👉 Observation is the driver of planning.
Communication & Language
PSED
Physical Development
Maths Seeds
Characteristics of Effective Learning
Behaviour & Emotional Regulation
Schema Observation & Analysis
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👉 The environment does the teaching.
Universal Continuous Provision
Continuous Provision Setup Guides | Toddler Room
Small World
Messy / Wet Play
Dry Sensory & Loose Parts
Construction
Role Play / Home Corner
Mark Making
Book Area / Reading Nook
Music & Sound
Outdoor
Continuous Provision Maps (18–36 Months)
C&L
PSED
PD
Maths Seeds
Literacy Seeds
UW
EAD
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👉 Movement, regulation and sensory experience.
Outdoor Continuous Provision Pack
Outdoor Zone-by-Zone Setup Guide (Gross Motor, Sensory/Nature, Creative/Mark Making, Small World Outside, Water/Mud)
Seasonal Adjustments Planner
Outdoor Risk–Benefit Assessment Template + examples
Nature-Based Learning & Schema Guide
Outdoor Mark Making & Literacy Opportunities Sheet
Outdoor Maths Seeds Sheet
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👉 Projects are optional contexts, not directives.
How Projects Work in Toddler Rooms (Guidance)
Project/Theme Planners:
12 × Main Project Planners (3–4 Weeks)
8 × Mini-Project Planners (1 Week)
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👉 Invitations, provocations and shared experiences.
Supports Child-led learning and responsive provision
Area of Learning Progression Maps & Adult Focus Sessions
(Organised by Age Band: 18–24 months | 24–30 months | 30–36 months)
Supports intentional teaching, vocabulary development and staff confidence
Understanding the World – Experience Progression Pack
Expressive Arts & Design – Creative Media & Expression Toolkit
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👉 Proportionate, meaningful assessment.
Report Template
Practitioner Guidance
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👉 Early identification, gentle support.
SEND Inclusion Strategy Pack (18–36 Months)
Practical SEND & inclusion strategies for toddlers aged 18–36 months
Six quick-reference strategy sheets covering communication, sensory needs, anxiety and behaviour
Aligned with the EYFS Framework and the Assess–Plan–Do–Review approach
Inclusive, diagnosis-free guidance ready to use in everyday practice
Ideal for observations, provision planning, team use and Ofsted evidence
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👉 Strong partnerships, realistic expectations.
Transition
Home–Setting Communication
Parent Information Pages
Additional Whole-Setting Guidance | for Professional Members
Explore our whole-setting guidance below, including overarching curriculum and pedagogy documents, early years schemas and EYFS setting policies.
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Early Years Schemas - Practitioner Toolkit | EYFS Birth-5
↪ Schema Cards (definition, behaviours, age-related examples, enabling resources)
↪ Schema Observation & Responsive Provision Planning Template
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EYFS Group Setting Policies Pack
↪ x 22 Policy Documents
↪ Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document
↪ EYFS Setting Policy Folder Contents List
Childminder Setting Policies Pack
↪ x 22 Policy Documents
↪ Childminder Assistant or Volunteer Policy Sign-Off and Confirmation Document
↪ Childminder Policy Folder Contents List
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↪ Clear, practitioner-friendly explanations of key curriculum and pedagogy terms used throughout our guidance.
Looking for a different age group pathway?
Select the pathway that best reflects your role or the age group you work with. You do not need to use everything. (Some practitioners may use more than one pathway.)
What is Professional Membership?
Find our more about our Professional guidance for confident, reflective EYFS practice (Birth–5)
Alternatively, learn more about and explore our printable provision resources.
Thousands of ready-to-use printables to support provision, organisation, routines and learning across EYFS.
Latest EYFS Articles & Practical Guides | From Our Blog
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Content within the EYFS Curriculum & Pedagogy Membership is provided as professional guidance and support. It reflects current understanding of the EYFS statutory framework, Development Matters and inspection expectations at the time of writing. Practitioners are responsible for applying professional judgement and ensuring practice aligns with current statutory requirements and their specific context. All resources, experiences and environment arrangements must be risk assessed by the setting and used in accordance with individual children’s developmental stages, needs and supervision requirements.
Safeguarding content does not replace a setting’s safeguarding and child protection policy or the statutory role of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL). All concerns must be managed in line with current statutory guidance and local safeguarding procedures.
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