16mo–2.2y7 minReadingQuiet timeStory time
Missing Word Magic
A 7-minute shared reading routine that uses a well-known story or rhyme and strategic pauses to invite toddlers to ‘read’ the next word through sounds, gestures, or words.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a very familiar story or rhyme book with repeated phrases
Nice to have
- a small pointer (your finger, a spoon) to point to pictures
- a soft toy to 'hold the pause' while waiting
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
- Has some favourite stories, rhymes, songs, poems or jingles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Fills in the missing word or phrase in a known rhyme, story or game, e.g. ‘Humpty Dumpty sat on a …’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Repeats words or phrases from familiar stories.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Read stories that children already know, pausing at intervals to encourage them to ‘read’ the next word.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)