2.5y–4.2y10 minMusicDevelopmental playFree play
Rhyme Train: Silly Word Strings
A fun rhyme-making game where you and your child create rhyming strings of real and imaginary words (including names), then capture them with playful marks and ‘reading’ to support early writing behaviours.
What you'll need
Essentials
- paper (a few small pieces or one big sheet)
- marker/crayon or pencil
Nice to have
- a small toy train/car (to ‘carry’ rhyme cards)
- sticky notes (for quick rhyme cards)
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
- MilestoneUses mark-making toolsBody· 22mo–2.8y· core· Steps 3, 4
- MilestoneRecognizes rhymesMind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneProduces rhyming wordsMind· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneDistinguishes between the different marks they make.Mind· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneGives meaning to own drawings or marksMind· 2.8y–3.8y· stretch
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan fun activities and games that help children create rhyming strings of real and imaginary words, e.g. Maddie, daddy, baddie, laddie.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)