16mo–2.2y10 minFree playFamily timeDevelopmental play
Add-One-Word Builder
A playful, child-led talk routine where you repeat your child’s single words and add one helpful word (colour/owner/action) to model 2-word phrases and simple sentences without pressure.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 3–6 everyday objects or small toys (e.g., car, cup, spoon, teddy, ball)
- a clear floor/table space
Nice to have
- two objects with contrasting features (big/small, red/blue)
- a small bag/box to hide one object (for ‘gone’/‘not here’ talk)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneCombines two wordsMind· 14mo–3y· core
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneBeginning to talk about people and things that are not present.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneExpresses ownership verballyHeart· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Model building sentences by repeating what the child says and adding another word, e.g. child says ‘car’, say ‘mummy’s car’ or ‘blue car’.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)