16mo–2.2y8 minStory timeReadingMusic
Silly Voices Join-In Story
A playful 8-minute story routine that uses different character voices and pauses to invite toddlers to join in with sounds, words, and repeated phrases.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a short, familiar story or picture book
Nice to have
- a soft toy to be a character
- a simple household object to be a 'microphone' (spoon, cardboard tube)
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
- MilestoneCopies sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneCopies familiar phrasesMind· 12mo–23mo· stretch
- MilestoneCopies heard wordsMind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAttends to Shared Book ReadingMind· 18mo–2.7y· core
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
What it practices
- Interested in books and rhymes and may have favourites.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Has some favourite stories, rhymes, songs, poems or jingles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Repeats words or phrases from familiar stories.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Fills in the missing word or phrase in a known rhyme, story or game, e.g. ‘Humpty Dumpty sat on a …’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use different voices to tell stories and encourage young children to join in wherever possible.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)