22mo–3y10 minStory timeFree play
Story Box Surprise
A simple story-starter routine using a small box of interesting household items. The parent invites the child to choose items, name them, and build a tiny pretend story together.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small box (shoe box or container)
- 3–5 interesting household items (spoon, ribbon, small toy, lid, sock)
Nice to have
- paper and crayon (to ‘draw’ the story)
- a small cloth (cape/blanket)
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 symbolic substitution (objects and words) in playMind· 20mo–3y· core
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· core
- MilestoneCreates pretend small world stories with toysMind· 3y–4y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneSimple pretend playMind· 14mo–2.2y· stretch
- MilestoneAnswers story questionsMind· 2.1y–3.1y· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneCan select and use activities and resources with help.Heart· 22mo–3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExpresses own preferences and interests.Heart· 22mo–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneAttends to Shared Book ReadingMind· 18mo–2.7y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneAttends and recallsMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide story boxes filled with interesting items to spark children’s storytelling ideas.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)