16mo–2.2y12 minReadingQuiet timeFamily time
Repeat-and-Join Storytime
Use a story with a repeated phrase to help your child practise key vocabulary, simple language structures, early questions, and talk about not-here people/things.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a simple picture book with repetition OR 3 toys to make a tiny story
- a comfortable spot for sitting together
Nice to have
- a blanket
- a notes app/paper to jot 2 to 3 target words
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
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies familiar phrasesMind· 12mo–23mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneBeginning to talk about people and things that are not present.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneCopies sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneBeginning to ask simple questions.Mind· 2.1y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneCombines two wordsMind· 14mo–3y· core
- MilestoneClaps handsBody· 9mo–17mo· stretch· Step 2
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide stories with repetitive phrases and structures to read aloud to children to support specific vocabulary or language structures.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)