22mo–3y10 minReadingMusicFamily time
Puppet Pause-and-Reply
A short puppet-led song and story routine that helps your child practise listening, waiting, and responding with sounds, actions, or words.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a sock (to make a simple puppet) or a soft toy
- a familiar picture book (or any book with pictures)
Nice to have
- a small cup and a larger cup (or two bowls, big and small)
- a small blanket or scarf
- a spoon
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
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· core
- MilestoneParticipates in songs and rhymesMind· 14mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneDiscriminates bigger and smallerMind· 2.2y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneJoins in Singing Familiar SongsMind· 2y–3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneIdentifies named picturesMind· 2y–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneAnswers story questionsMind· 2.1y–3.1y· stretch
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 1
- MilestonePoints to named body partsMind· 18mo–2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneIndependent page turningBody· 10mo–22mo· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use puppets and other props to encourage listening and responding when singing a familiar song or reading from a story book.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)