2.5y–4.2y9 minFree playFamily timeReading
Catch-the-Reading Moment
A flexible, child-led routine for ‘in-the-moment’ reading support: follow your child’s interest in signs, labels, or a book; use a simple prompt ladder (point, predict, first sound, blend); and extend with quick sound play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- any 2–3 pieces of everyday print (e.g., a packet, a simple sign, a book cover)
Nice to have
- paper and a marker for a quick label
- a small object to match to a word (toy, cup, sock)
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
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
- “Support and scaffold individual children’s reading as opportunities arise.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)