2.5y–4.2y10 minMusicFamily time
Family Rhyme Recorder Replay
A gentle listening-and-replay activity where a parent records (or reuses) a short rhyme in a regional variation, then helps your child listen, recall, and join in with repeated parts.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a phone or device that can record and play audio
- a favourite short rhyme or song (10–20 seconds)
Nice to have
- a soft toy as a ‘microphone’
- paper and crayons (to draw a picture for the rhyme)
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
- Listens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall.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
- Focusing attention – still listen or do, but can shift own attention.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Is able to follow directions (if not intently focused on own choice of activity).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Ask parents to record regional variations of songs and rhymes.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)