3.3y–5y12 minStory timeFree playFamily time
Play It, Then Tell It
A guided pretend-play sequence that supports narrative handling by acting out a simple story with household props, then retelling it in order.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 3 small toys or household objects to act as characters (e.g., spoon, sock, toy car)
- a blanket or towel (to be a 'stage' or 'setting')
Nice to have
- a small box (as a house/cave/shop)
- phone timer or voice recorder
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneAdds a sequenced storylineMind· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneRetells or summarizes story contentMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneCreates pretend small world stories with toysMind· 3y–4y· stretch
- MilestoneUses talk to organise, sequence and clarify thinking, ideas, feelings and events.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestonePlans a pretend scenarioMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneIndependent connected storytellingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Create simple representations of events, people and objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates new combinations of movement and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Chooses particular colours to use for a purpose.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Introduces a storyline or narrative into their play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Plays alongside other children who are engaged in the same theme.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Plays cooperatively as part of a group to develop and act out a narrative.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Be aware of the link between imaginative play and children’s ability to handle narrative.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)