2.5y–4.2y12 minReadingStory timeFree play
Story Steps: Read, Pick, Act
A playful story routine where the child picks the main events (beginning/middle/end) and enacts them with simple props, with light sound-play woven in to support early word-reading foundations.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a short picture book (familiar is fine)
- 3–6 small toys or household objects to use as props (e.g., spoon, sock, toy animal, cup)
Nice to have
- paper and marker to draw quick ‘event’ pictures
- a blanket to be a ‘stage’
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 5-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneBeginning to be aware of the way stories are structured.Mind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneOrders a complete familiar sequenceMind· 2.5y–4.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneSupported familiar-story retellingMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneRetells or summarizes story contentMind· 4y–5y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneAnswers questions about a storyMind· 4y–6y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneAnswers story questionsMind· 2.1y–3.1y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneProduces rhyming wordsMind· 4y–5y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneListens and joins inMind· 2.3y–3.3y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneRecognizes rhymesMind· 3.3y–5y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCompletes Familiar Story or Rhyme PhrasesMind· 20mo–2.7y· core· Step 1
What it practices
- Enjoys rhyming and rhythmic activities.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows awareness of rhyme and alliteration.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Continues a rhyming string.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Hears and says the initial sound in words.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Can segment the sounds in simple words and blend them together and knows which letters represent some of them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help children to identify the main events in a story and to enact stories, as the basis for further imaginative play.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)