3.3y–5y12 minStory timeReadingWith other children
Good vs Wicked: Story Pattern Spotter
A short discussion-and-reading routine where you helps your child notice common story patterns—especially what often happens to ‘good’ and ‘wicked’ characters—and explain their thinking.
What you'll need
Essentials
- one familiar story (fairy tale or picture book) with clear characters (good/wicked)
- paper and a pen/pencil
- two small containers/plates OR two pieces of paper labelled 'good' and 'wicked'
Nice to have
- a second short story to compare (another familiar book)
- two small toys to represent 'good' and 'wicked' characters
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
- MilestoneIdentifies shared category featuresMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneExplains causesMind· 3.8y–4.6y· core· Step 2
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 2.8y–3.6y· core· Step 2
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 3y–5y· core
- MilestoneAnswers questions about a storyMind· 4y–6y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneExplains own knowledge and understanding, and asks appropriate questions of others.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneSustains back-and-forth conversationMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneAttends and recallsMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneTalks about own interests and ideasMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneFollows instructions with several steps or actionsMind· 3.3y–4y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows ordered multi-step directionsMind· 4y–5.6y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 1
What it practices
- Listens and responds to ideas expressed by others in conversation or discussion.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Children follow instructions involving several ideas or actions. They answer ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about their experiences and in response to stories or events.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Able to follow a story without pictures or props.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Responds to instructions involving a two-part sequence.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children to identify patterns, e.g. what generally happens to ‘good’ and ‘wicked’ characters at the end of stories”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)