22mo–3y10 minQuiet timeSocial playFamily time
Face-and-Words Detective
A calm, playful routine where you help your child link body language (faces, posture, voice) to emotion words and simple causes, practising gentle questions and feeling talk without forcing disclosure.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small mirror (or phone selfie camera)
- a favourite toy (teddy/doll/figure)
- a comfy space to sit together
Nice to have
- two simple emotion faces drawn on paper (happy/cross/sad)
- a book page with clear facial expressions
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
- MilestoneExpresses feelings through words or actionsHeart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneBack and forth conversationMind· 2.3y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneHolds a conversation, jumping from topic to topic.Mind· 22mo–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneCombines two wordsMind· 14mo–3y· stretch
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneBeginning to ask simple questions.Mind· 2.1y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneAsks Wh-QuestionsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
- MilestoneUses three- to five-word sentencesMind· 2y–4y· stretch
What it practices
- Uses language as a powerful means of widening contacts, sharing feelings, experiences and thoughts.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses gestures, sometimes with limited talk, e.g. reaches toward toy, saying ‘I have it’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a variety of questions (e.g. what, where, who).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds a conversation, jumping from topic to topic.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Talk with children to make links between their body language and words, e.g. “Your face does look cross. Has something upset you?””
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)