By Mitch Pinkney – Product Developer, Yellow Door


Building language and literacy through play


Some of the best opportunities for developing language and literacy skills happen through play. Whether children are telling stories, role-playing, exploring sensory materials or talking about their favourite things, every interaction helps build vocabulary, communication and early literacy skills.


Here are five fun and easy ways to support young children in becoming successful readers and writers through play.


1. From storybook to playtime


Bring stories to life with wooden characters, small-world props and sensory materials to encourage children to listen, talk and explore language. Traditional tales such as Goldilocks and the Three Bears are a great starting point.


Introduce: “This is Daddy Bear.” “This is Baby Bear.”


Identify: “Can you show me Daddy Bear?” “Can you show me Baby Bear?”


Recall: “Who is this?” (point to Daddy Bear). “Who is this?” (point to Baby Bear).


Repeating this process helps children learn and remember new vocabulary through play.


What you’ll need: 2


308669 – Look Inside - Community Vehicles Wooden Play Set


1 What you’ll need:


842176 – Traditional Tales Wooden Character Set


876008 – Traditional Tales Storybook Set


2. My favourite things


Following children’s interests is a great way to encourage listening, confidence and vocabulary development. For example, for children who like cars, create a playscape with vehicles, roads, figures and sand, then use play to spark conversation and introduce new words.


• Comment on details: “Who is driving this vehicle?” “What colour is the recycling lorry?”


• Ask open-ended questions: “Where do you think the farmer is going?”


• Extend language: “The recycling lorry is going to the recycling centre. What has it collected?”


• Expand ideas: “If the road is blocked, how will the ambulance get through?”


• Narrate play: “I’m taking the recovery truck to fix a flat tyre.”


• Introduce vocabulary: recycling centre, emergency, rescue, crew, route, delivery.


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For more ideas and inspiration visit ypo.co.uk/littlelearners


Mitch Pinkney


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