Let’s Talk & Share (EYFS)

Inside Let's Talk & Share (EYFS)

chat in longer sentences, try new words, describe things by colour, size and how they feel, ask and answer questions, retell a story in the right order, then take turns to talk and listen at home. About 60 minutes.

Learning objectives

• talk in longer sentences, joining ideas with words like and and because;
• try out and enjoy new words;
• describe things by their colour, size and how they feel;
• ask and answer questions, taking turns as asker and answerer;
• retell a simple story in the right order — beginning, middle and end — and take turns to talk and listen to others.

Activities in this book

1. Play 1 — Tell Me More

   there are no wrong answers here — just enjoy chatting! If your child says one word, gently add more: "A dog? Tell me more — what is the dog doing?" Sentences grow longer with practice and lots of smiles.

2. Play 2 — Describing Words

   say each describing word out loud in a fun voice — a huge big voice and a tiny little voice! Then tap the word that fits. Take your time, and chat about it together.

3. Play 3 — Ask & Answer

   take turns being the asker and the answerer. Little question words like who, what, where and why help. Any answer your child gives is a good answer — this play is all about having a go.

4. Play 4 — Retell a Story

   choose a story you both know well, like The Three Little Pigs. Talk about what happens first, next and last. Then tap the little story-order words. Use your fingers: one, two, three for beginning, middle, end!

5. Play 5 — Take Turns at Home

   good talkers also listen! At teatime or bedtime, take turns to share one thing about your day. When it is not your turn, listen carefully so you can ask a question back.

Suggestions for teaching

• Talk lots, mark little. Most plays are just for chatting together — there is nothing to get right or wrong, so keep it warm and playful.
• Grow the sentence. When your child says one word, gently echo it back with more: "A cat? Tell me more — a fluffy cat that is sleeping because it is tired."
• Describe together. Hunt around the room for something blue, something huge and something soft, and say the describing words out loud.
• Take turns. Swap between asking and answering so your child hears how good questions sound.
• Retell stories. Use a well-loved story and count on fingers — one, two, three — for beginning, middle and end.