2.5y–4.2y7 minFree playMusicFamily time
Sound Stretch & Snap
A short sound-play routine where the adult models segmenting simple words into sounds and blending them back together, using everyday objects and child-led turns.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 3-5 small objects (cup, spoon, sock, toy car, hat)
Nice to have
- a simple 'sound train' gesture (your hands moving together)
- a small drum/pot to tap beats (optional household item)
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
- MilestoneAnswers simple open questionsMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneListens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneSorts Objects by AttributeMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneExtends vocabulary, especially by grouping and naming, exploring the meaning and sounds of new words.Mind· 3.3y–5y· stretch· Steps 1, 2
What it practices
- Recognises rhythm in spoken words.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Joins in with repeated refrains and anticipates key events and phrases in rhymes and stories.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to be aware of the way stories are structured.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Model to children how simple words can be segmented into sounds and blended together to make words.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)