2.5y–4.2y10 minReadingFree playDevelopmental play
Books in the Build Zone: Fact and Story
Place one fact book and one fiction book in multiple play areas (including construction) so your child meets books naturally during play. You’ll support listening, joining in with story language, noticing story structure, and predicting what happens next.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 1 fact (non-fiction) picture book (e.g., buildings, vehicles, animals)
- 1 fiction picture book (a story with characters)
- blocks or construction toys
- a small basket/box or a clear spot to place books in the construction area
Nice to have
- a soft blanket or cushion for a quick “book stop”
- a small toy/figure to be the “listener” in the story
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
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneBeginning to be aware of the way stories are structured.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneSupported familiar-story retellingMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneOrders a complete familiar sequenceMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneTalks through a pictured storyMind· 4.2y–5y· core
- MilestoneAttends and recallsMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· stretch
What it practices
- Recognises rhythm in spoken words.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Listens to and joins in with stories and poems, one-to-one and also in small groups.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to be aware of the way stories are structured.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Suggests how the story might end.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide fact and fiction books in all areas, e.g. construction area as well as the book area.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)