2.5y–4.2y12 minStory timeReadingFamily time
Character Chat: Name, Sound, Rhyme
A shared-reading routine where your child talks about story characters, then plays with the sounds in character names and key story words (initial sounds, rhymes, and simple sound-blending).
What you'll need
Essentials
- one picture book with clear characters
- paper
- a pen or marker
Nice to have
- 2–4 small toys/objects to stand in for characters
- sticky notes (to make quick character name labels)
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
- MilestoneExtends vocabulary, especially by grouping and naming, exploring the meaning and sounds of new words.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneProduces rhyming wordsMind· 4y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneRecognizes rhymesMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneProduces a simple rhythmMind· 2.8y–3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneNames familiar story charactersMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneParticipates in songs and rhymesMind· 14mo–2.3y· stretch
- MilestoneTakes turns in simple games with adult supportHeart· 20mo–3.3y· core· Step 1
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
- “Discuss with children the characters in books being read.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)