2.5y–4.2y12 minFamily timeReadingDevelopmental play
Print Detective: Names & Logos
A short, playful investigation of meaningful print (child’s name, cereal box, book title) to notice similarities and differences between symbols and words.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper and a pen/marker
- one food packet with print (e.g., cereal box) or any household packaging
- one book with a clear title on the cover
Nice to have
- sticky notes or small paper labels
- a magnifying glass toy (optional, not required)
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
- MilestoneCompares object propertiesMind· 2.8y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneIdentifies shared category featuresMind· 2.8y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneNotices detailed features of objects in their environment.Mind· 22mo–3y· core· Steps 1, 2, 3
- MilestoneDescribes object propertiesMind· 2.5y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneMatches identical objects and picturesMind· 15mo–2.5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneNames lettersMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Focus on meaningful print such as a child’s name, words on a cereal packet or a book title, in order to discuss similarities and differences between symbols.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)