22mo–3y10 minQuiet timeStory time
Thinking Time Talk
A calm question-and-wait routine that helps you hold back, give your child time to think, and support them to put ideas into words without you jumping in too soon.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a picture book or 2–3 family photos
Nice to have
- a small soft toy (for turn-taking)
- a cushion or blanket
Movement level: false
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· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCombines two wordsMind· 14mo–3y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneBack and forth conversationMind· 2.3y–3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneUses three- to five-word sentencesMind· 2y–4y· core
- MilestoneBeginning to ask simple questions.Mind· 2.1y–4.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneAsks Wh-QuestionsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
- MilestoneRetells Recent or Past EventsMind· 2.3y–3.2y· stretch
What it practices
- Holds a conversation, jumping from topic to topic.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses language as a powerful means of widening contacts, sharing feelings, experiences and thoughts.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Uses a variety of questions (e.g. what, where, who).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Give children ‘thinking time’. Wait for them to think about what they want to say and put their thoughts into words, without jumping in too soon to say something yourself.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)