8mo–20mo10 minMealtimeFree playStory time
Name, Do, Describe!
A snack-and-play routine that helps your child practise a mix of everyday word types—labels (nouns), action words, and a few describing words—using pauses, modelling, and quick rewards.
What you'll need
Essentials
- two familiar items your child likes (e.g., snack + cup, or car + ball)
- a small plate/bowl or container so you can offer tiny amounts
Nice to have
- a picture book with clear photos
- bubbles or a favourite toy as an extra motivator
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
- MilestoneUses different types of everyday words (nouns, verbs and adjectives, e.g. banana, go, sleep, hot).Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Steps 1, 2, 3, 4
- MilestoneUses several meaningful wordsMind· 15mo–22mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneCopies heard wordsMind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneNames familiar referentsMind· 15mo–2.3y· core
- MilestoneUses single meaningful wordsMind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneCopies sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
What it practices
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