22mo–3y9 minFree playStory time
Silly Voices, Same Story
A pretend-play routine where the parent uses playful voice changes (quiet, slow, gruff) to enrich a familiar pretend scenario and invite the child into back-and-forth imaginative play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a toy/figure or soft toy
- a cup or small bowl
Nice to have
- a scarf/cloth (cape/blanket)
- a small box (house/bed/garage)
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
- MilestoneExplores and learns how sounds can be changed.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneUses sounds in pretend playMind· 10mo–2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneUses Intonation and Rhythm to Clarify MeaningMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· core
- MilestoneEnacts a pretend roleMind· 3y–5y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneReenacts familiar experiencesMind· 2.2y–3.8y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneSimple pretend playMind· 14mo–2.2y· stretch
- MilestoneUses symbolic substitution (objects and words) in playMind· 20mo–3y· core
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Sometimes speak quietly, slowly or gruffly for fun in pretend scenarios with children.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)