16mo–2.2y10 minSocial playFamily timeActive play
Catch and Echo Talk
A short rolling/throwing game where you comment on what’s happening to highlight simple language structures (You’ve… / I’ve… / ___’s…) and key vocabulary, with lots of waiting for your child to join in.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a soft ball (or rolled-up socks) safe for throwing/rolling
- a clear floor space
Nice to have
- a basket/box as a ‘goal’
- a toy/person to be the third ‘player’ (e.g., teddy)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneCopies sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneCombines two wordsMind· 14mo–3y· core
- MilestoneUses different types of everyday words (nouns, verbs and adjectives, e.g. banana, go, sleep, hot).Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneUses single meaningful wordsMind· 8mo–20mo· core· Steps 1, 4
- MilestoneNames familiar referentsMind· 15mo–2.3y· core
- MilestoneBeginning to talk about people and things that are not present.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneBeginning to ask simple questions.Mind· 2.1y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan to talk through and comment on some activities to highlight specific vocabulary or language structures, e.g. “You’ve caught the ball. I’ve caught the ball. Nasima’s caught the ball”.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)