2.5y–4.2y12 minStory timeReadingFree play
Story Props Feelings Replay
A shared-reading and retelling routine where you uses simple story props so your child can retell key events and start thinking about how characters feel.
What you'll need
Essentials
- one familiar picture book (or a short story you know well)
- 3–6 safe household 'props' to stand in for characters/objects (e.g., a spoon, sock, small box, teddy, scarf)
- a clear space to place the props (floor or table)
Nice to have
- paper and marker to draw 2–3 simple feeling faces (happy/sad/scared)
- two small bowls/plates to make 'places' in the story (home/away)
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
- MilestoneSupported familiar-story retellingMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneOrders a complete familiar sequenceMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneAnticipates familiar story eventsMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAttends and recallsMind· 2.5y–4.2y· stretch
- MilestoneShows nonverbal story understandingMind· 3y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneAnswers story questionsMind· 2.1y–3.1y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneRetells or summarizes story contentMind· 4y–5y· core
- MilestoneTells the next familiar eventMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAttends to Shared Book ReadingMind· 18mo–2.7y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAnswers questions about a storyMind· 4y–6y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneAttends to book contentMind· 18mo–2.6y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneSustains back-and-forth conversationMind· 3.3y–5y· stretch
What it practices
- Listens to stories with increasing attention and recall.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
- Listens to others one to one or in small groups, when conversation interests them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Focusing attention – still listen or do, but can shift own attention.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Introduce, alongside books, story props, such as pictures, puppets and objects, to encourage children to retell stories and to think about how the characters feel.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)