22mo–3y10 minStory timeFree playFamily time
Repeat & Replay Story Game
A short, playful repetition routine using a tiny story and copycat word games to encourage clearer words and phrases.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2-3 familiar toys or household objects (e.g., teddy, spoon, ball)
- a comfy place to sit (sofa, cushion, or blanket)
Nice to have
- a picture book with repeated phrases
- phone timer
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
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneCombines two wordsMind· 14mo–3y· core
- MilestoneAnswers story questionsMind· 2.1y–3.1y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneAnticipates familiar story eventsMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneUses three- to five-word sentencesMind· 2y–4y· core
- MilestoneRetells Recent or Past EventsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
- MilestonePredicts what happens nextMind· 3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneShows nonverbal story understandingMind· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Uses language as a powerful means of widening contacts, sharing feelings, experiences and thoughts.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds a conversation, jumping from topic to topic.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Learns new words very rapidly and is able to use them in communicating.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses gestures, sometimes with limited talk, e.g. reaches toward toy, saying ‘I have it’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a variety of questions (e.g. what, where, who).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan to encourage correct use of language by telling repetitive stories, and playing games which involve repetition of words or phrases.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)