3.3y–5y7 minMusicOutdoorActive play
Rustle & Shuffle Sound-Walk
A short movement-and-language game that introduces descriptive words (including 'rustle' and 'shuffle') and helps the child connect words to sounds, actions, and imaginative story moments.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a few pieces of paper or a plastic bag (for safe 'rustle' sounds)
- a clear floor space
Nice to have
- a scarf or cloth
- a phone to play quiet background music
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
- MilestoneExtends vocabulary, especially by grouping and naming, exploring the meaning and sounds of new words.Mind· 3.3y–5y· core
- MilestoneInitiates new combinations of movement and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences.Body· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestoneExperiments with different ways of moving.Body· 3.3y–5y· stretch
- MilestonePlans a pretend scenarioMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneEnacts a pretend roleMind· 3y–5y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExplains own knowledge and understanding, and asks appropriate questions of others.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneCopies movements to musicBody· 18mo–3.3y· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
- Create simple representations of events, people and objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Initiates new combinations of movement and gesture in order to express and respond to feelings, ideas and experiences.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Chooses particular colours to use for a purpose.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Introduces a storyline or narrative into their play.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Plays alongside other children who are engaged in the same theme.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Plays cooperatively as part of a group to develop and act out a narrative.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Introduce descriptive language to support children, for example, ‘rustle’ and ‘shuffle’.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)