16mo–2.2y10 minReadingQuiet timeFamily time
Many Families Book Time
A warm, inclusive shared reading where you chooses books and everyday pictures showing diverse families and communities, helping your child notice similarities and differences with respectful, stereotype-free language.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 picture books (or printed photos/magazine pictures) that show diverse families and everyday life in a positive way
- a comfy spot for shared reading (sofa, cushion, or mat)
Nice to have
- a small basket to keep the books together
- a family photo of your child (printed or on a phone) to make simple connections
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneLearns that they have similarities and differences that connect them to, and distinguish them from, others.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· core
- MilestoneEnjoys pictures and stories about themselves, their families and other people.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneHas a sense of own immediate family and relations.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneIs curious about people and shows interest in stories about themselves and their family.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· core
- MilestoneLooks at books with a familiar personMind· 10mo–2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneAttends to book contentMind· 18mo–2.6y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneNames pictured referentsMind· 23mo–2.9y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneHas some favourite stories, rhymes, songs, poems or jingles.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide books and resources which represent children’s diverse backgrounds and which avoid negative stereotypes.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)