2.5y–4.2y12 minReadingStory timeFamily time
Bilingual Story Buddy: Two-Language Tale Time
A short bilingual story routine that uses a familiar book and parent involvement (and optionally a bilingual friend/family member) to strengthen meaning-making, repeated words, and early decoding foundations through playful sound work and dual-language labels.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a familiar picture book (one you’ve read before)
- paper or sticky notes
- a marker or pen
Nice to have
- phone for a quick voice note or call with a bilingual adult
- 2–3 small toys related to the story (any toys are fine)
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneExtends vocabulary, especially by grouping and naming, exploring the meaning and sounds of new words.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· stretch
- MilestoneAttends to Shared Book ReadingMind· 18mo–2.7y· stretch
- MilestoneIdentifies named objectsMind· 13mo–2.1y· stretch
- MilestoneIdentifies named picturesMind· 2y–3y· stretch
- MilestoneMatches words in routinesMind· 15mo–2y· core
What it practices
- Enjoys rhyming and rhythmic activities.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows awareness of rhyme and alliteration.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Continues a rhyming string.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Hears and says the initial sound in words.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can segment the sounds in simple words and blend them together and knows which letters represent some of them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan to include home language and bilingual story sessions by involving qualified bilingual adults, as well as enlisting the help of parents.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)