2.5y–4.2y8 minSelf-careBath timeQuiet time
Mirror Sound Shapes
A mirror-based sound-play routine where the adult helps your child notice different voice sounds and what the mouth/tongue do to make them, strengthening listening attention, imitation, and sound awareness through playful back-and-forth.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a mirror (bathroom mirror or handheld)
- a tissue or small piece of paper (to feel gentle ‘breathy’ sounds)
Nice to have
- a favourite soft toy (to ‘copy’ the sounds)
- a phone voice recorder (optional, to replay one sound)
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
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children be aware of different voice sounds by using a mirror to see what their mouth and tongue do as they make different sounds.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)