3.3y–5y10 minReadingStory timeQuiet time
Pause & Predict Story Detectives
An interactive book-sharing routine where the adult prompts your child to make predictions and give explanations using simple ‘because’ talk, strengthening listening and understanding.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a favourite picture book (fiction works well)
- a comfortable spot to sit together
Nice to have
- 2 small objects as ‘story props’ (e.g., a toy car, a spoon as a ‘boat’)
- paper and a crayon (to draw one prediction after)
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
- MilestoneExplains causesMind· 3.8y–4.6y· core· Step 2
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 3y–5y· core
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 2.8y–3.6y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneComplex connected sentencesMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneSustains back-and-forth conversationMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneAnswers questions about a storyMind· 4y–6y· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 3
What it practices
- Children follow instructions involving several ideas or actions. They answer ‘how’ and ‘why’ questions about their experiences and in response to stories or events.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Listens and responds to ideas expressed by others in conversation or discussion.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Able to follow a story without pictures or props.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use stories from books to focus children’s attention on predictions and explanations, e.g. “Why did the boat tip over?””
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)