16mo–2.2y12 minFree playStory timeFamily time
Story-Play Replay
A 12-minute activity that helps toddlers use stories they hear in their play by re-enacting a simple story with household props, encouraging recall, sequencing, and shared meaning.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 household props (soft toy, spoon, cup, small box, or scarf)
Nice to have
- a familiar storybook (optional reference)
- blanket or cushion to be a 'stage'
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
- MilestoneSimple pretend playMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneUses symbolic substitution (objects and words) in playMind· 20mo–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies familiar phrasesMind· 12mo–23mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· stretch
- MilestonePretends with imagined roles or thingsMind· 2y–3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneCopies heard wordsMind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneAttends to Shared Book ReadingMind· 18mo–2.7y· core
What it practices
- 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
- “Encourage children to use the stories they hear in their play.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)