Some of the most meaningful early learning happens right down on the floor.

Floor play gives babies, toddlers and young children the freedom to move, investigate, communicate and follow their own ideas. A thoughtfully chosen playmat makes that space feel comfortable, inviting and clearly theirs - supporting movement, relationships, language, problem-solving and imagination.

At Totter + Tumble, we know life with little ones happens on the playmat. Our cushioned, wipe-clean, reversible designs give families, nurseries and education settings a practical and beautifully considered base for everyday play.

What is floor play in early years education settings?

Floor play is child-led or gently guided learning at ground level, often centred on a comfortable playmat. It might involve whole-body movement, building, sensory discovery, reading or make-believe.

Picture a baby reaching across the playmat, toddlers ferrying blocks from a low basket, a group building a home for play animals or a practitioner settling down to share a book. The mat defines the space: time, ownership and an attentive adult allow the learning to unfold.

Garden House EYFS using the Pembroke playmat 

Why is floor play important?

Children do not learn in neat subject boxes. Moving one object across the playmat might build balance, spatial awareness, new vocabulary, persistence and an understanding of cause and effect. Building with a friend can bring together negotiation, fine motor control, early maths and storytelling.

That’s what makes the floor such a rich learning environment: physical, social, emotional and cognitive development can happen together. It also supports the three EYFS prime areas - communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development - in a wonderfully natural way.

Seven benefits of floor play in early years settings

1. It builds gross motor confidence

Reaching, rolling, crawling, sitting, kneeling, squatting and moving around obstacles build strength, balance, coordination and body awareness. A Totter + Tumble playmat creates a cushioned, stable base for that everyday movement, particularly over hard flooring.

2. It develops fine motor control

Grasping, stacking, connecting, drawing and handling loose parts strengthen dexterity and hand-eye coordination - foundations for self-care, tool use and mark-making.

3. It creates natural opportunities for language

At floor level, adults can follow a child’s attention, introduce relevant words and extend conversation without taking over. Commenting, pausing and listening often work harder than a stream of questions.

4. It supports relationships and regulation

Children can observe, imitate, exchange resources, negotiate roles and work towards a shared goal. A familiar floor space and a responsive adult also provide a secure base for children who are settling in or need help to regulate.

5. It strengthens thinking skills

A tower falls; a vehicle will not fit; a line of blocks falls short. These small problems invite children to predict, test, adapt and persist. Adults can sustain the thinking with a pause or a simple observation rather than supplying the answer.

6. It gives imagination room to grow

A block becomes a telephone, fabric becomes a river and cushions become a bus. Open-ended floor play lets children combine experiences, stories and observations in ways that carry their own meaning.

7. It makes learning visible

By observing before intervening, practitioners can spot play schemas, emerging vocabulary, physical confidence, preferred ways of communicating and approaches to difficulty - then use those insights to shape what happens next.

Explore our play mat collection. 

How floor play supports the EYFS

With thoughtful planning, floor play can support every area of the EYFS. Here are a few ways that learning might show up:

Of course, one play experience does not need to cover every area at once. Begin with the child: what are they curious about, what might they need next and what does the space invite them to do?

Expert perspective: why the environment matters

Annemieke Looijenstein and Chantal Ariëns, Co-founders of casaludo [UK & US - 

https://casaludo.nl/about-casaludo/ & EU https://casaludo.nl/] and Totter + Tumble partners, design meaningful learning and play environments for nurseries, preschools and educational play spaces. They describe the physical environment as a “third educator” alongside parents and practitioners, in line with the pedagogical approach. The setting has a quiet influence on how children feel, move, connect and learn.

Casaludo’s advice is simple and thoughtful: create a defined, calm play zone; keep open-ended resources low and within reach; and choose a supportive surface that makes it comfortable for children and adults to spend time together.

That environment does not need to be elaborate. A well-placed playmat, a small edit of versatile resources and enough uninterrupted time can turn an overlooked patch of floor into a place where ideas take root.

Want to know more about casaludo? Please get in touch with Chantal at chantal@casaludo.nl.

Frequently asked questions about floor play in early years

Is floor play part of the EYFS?

Floor play is not a separate EYFS requirement. Instead, it offers a natural way to support all seven areas of learning - especially communication and language, physical development, and personal, social and emotional development.

Is floor play only important for babies?

Not at all. Babies use the playmat for movement and sensory discovery, while toddlers and preschool children use it for building, storytelling, role play, collaboration and problem-solving.

How long should floor play last?

There is no magic number. Offer it often and protect enough uninterrupted time for children to settle into an idea, return to it and reach a natural stopping point.

Should floor play be child-led or adult-guided?

Both have their place. Adults can introduce an idea or resource, while children still make choices, contribute their own thinking and shape what happens next.

How can floor play support children with SEND?

Start with the child and adapt from there. You might change their position, the available space, sensory input, resource size, communication support or the height at which play is offered.

The floor as an enabling environment

A well-chosen playmat turns the floor into a welcoming place to move, investigate, communicate, imagine and belong. It gives children a familiar base for play - and practitioners a comfortable place to slow down, observe and join in.

At Totter + Tumble, we believe life on the playmat matters. Pair a supportive surface with a thoughtfully arranged room and an attentive adult, and the floor becomes a wonderful foundation for learning.

The Ardingly Playmat at Wimbledon Park Primary School