16mo–2.2y10 minFree playStory timeFamily time
Prop Story Pop-Up
A 10-minute story opportunity routine using simple props (soft toys or household objects) to support comprehension, participation, and repeated story language throughout the day.
What you'll need
Essentials
- one prop (soft toy, sock, spoon, cup, or small box)
Nice to have
- a second prop for another character
- a picture book to connect the prop to a known story
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· stretch
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· core· Steps 3, 4
- MilestoneAttends to Shared Book ReadingMind· 18mo–2.7y· core
- MilestoneCopies sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAnticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneCopies familiar phrasesMind· 12mo–23mo· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Interested in books and rhymes and may have favourites.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Repeats words or phrases from familiar stories.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Has some favourite stories, rhymes, songs, poems or jingles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Fills in the missing word or phrase in a known rhyme, story or game, e.g. ‘Humpty Dumpty sat on a …’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Find opportunities to tell and read stories to children, using puppets, soft toys, or real objects as props.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)