22mo–3y10 minQuiet timeFamily timeReading
Photo Chat: Familiar Moments
Use everyday photos to spark simple, back-and-forth talk about familiar people, objects, and events, helping your child practise naming, describing, and recalling.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 3–6 familiar photos (printed or on your phone)
Nice to have
- a small snack or drink for a cosy chat
- a soft toy ‘listener’ to take turns talking to
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
- MilestoneNames pictured referentsMind· 23mo–2.9y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneTalks About Past and Future EventsMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneDescribes picture actionMind· 2.8y–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneBeginning to talk about people and things that are not present.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneNames objects in contextMind· 2.5y–3.8y· core
- MilestoneUses three- to five-word sentencesMind· 2y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneEnjoys pictures and stories about themselves, their families and other people.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneRetells Recent or Past EventsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· core
What it practices
- Holds a conversation, jumping from topic to topic.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses language as a powerful means of widening contacts, sharing feelings, experiences and thoughts.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a variety of questions (e.g. what, where, who).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Display pictures and photographs showing familiar events, objects and activities and talk about them with the children.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)