22mo–3y10 minFamily timeFree playMealtime
Home-Language Spotlight Time
Create a short, playful routine where your child gets lots of chances to use your home language through choices, pretend play, and gentle expansions.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 familiar everyday objects for pretend play (cup, spoon, toy food, toy car)
Nice to have
- a favourite song/rhyme in your home language
- a picture book you already have (any language)
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
- MilestoneUses several meaningful wordsMind· 15mo–22mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneCombines two wordsMind· 14mo–3y· core
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneNames familiar referentsMind· 15mo–2.3y· stretch
- MilestoneUses symbolic substitution (objects and words) in playMind· 20mo–3y· stretch
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUses three- to five-word sentencesMind· 2y–4y· core
- MilestoneParticipates in songs and rhymesMind· 14mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneGestures wants or needsMind· 10mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· stretch· Step 4
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
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide opportunities for children whose home language is other than English, to use that language.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)