2.5y–4.2y12 minStory timeReadingQuiet time
Listen, Then Tell Me Two Things
A short shared-reading routine that supports your child to listen through a story and recall one or two key details right after, using picture cues and gentle prompts.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a short picture book (about 5–10 pages) or a familiar storybook
- a comfy reading spot
Nice to have
- 2–3 small toys/objects that match the story (toy animal, spoon, hat, small car)
- paper and a crayon to draw a quick ‘story recap’
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
- MilestoneAttends and recallsMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core
- MilestoneAnswers story questionsMind· 2.1y–3.1y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneRetells or summarizes story contentMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneIdentifies characters and eventsMind· 3.8y–4.6y· stretch
- MilestoneAttends to Shared Book ReadingMind· 18mo–2.7y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAnswers questions about a storyMind· 4y–6y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneSupported familiar-story retellingMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 2.8y–3.6y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
- Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to be aware of the way stories are structured.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Describes main story settings, events and principal characters.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — construct-derived activity authored from enriched DM2012 construct