An object of reference is an object that has a particular meaning, e.g. a certain ball might represent going out to play or a bubble wand might represent coming to blow bubbles. They can be used to

• help a child understand what is happening or is about to happen, e.g. being shown a spade means the child is about to be encouraged to move to the sand tray area.
• Support a transition from place to place, your child is indoors and it’s time to go outside to the sandpit, so show them the spade to support their understanding of what is about to happen as it happens.

Please see the following documents below which can be viewed and/or downloaded:

• Objects of Reference and how they can be used
• Choice Making using objects of reference