Mini Minds Hub · Free printable
My Show and Tell Prompt Cards: Free Printable Card Set for Reception
- ForReception
- StageEarly Years
- CostFree
- FormatPrintable PDF
My Show and Tell Prompt Cards is a free printable card set for Reception (ages 4 to 5). The cards help a shy child talk about something from home. Children choose an object, turn over one card at a time and answer in a short sentence. It is screen free and needs only paper, a pencil and a grown-up to listen.
It comes from the Mini Minds Hub, the free library of printables from Jaques of London, the British games and toy company that has been making games for families since 1795. It is two A4 pages. Page 1 is for the child. Page 2 is for the grown-up, with notes on how to use the sheet, help for children who find it hard and a stretch idea. Black and white printing works well.
What is on the sheet
The sheet is a set of prompt cards to cut out. Children choose an object from home, then turn over one card at a time and answer it. The cards begin sentences such as "This is my..." and "It feels...". One card invites a friend to ask a question. Each answer is a short sentence. Children look closely at the object, find words for it and share them with a listener.
- This is my...
- I like it because...
- I got it from...
- It feels...
- It looks...
- I use it to...
- My favourite part is...
- Does anyone have a question?
Getting ready to talk
Choose the object together
Let the child pick something they know well and love. A favourite toy, a book or a keepsake works well. Talking about something familiar is easier than talking about something new.
Look before you speak
Ask the child to hold the object and look at it for a moment. Notice the colour, the shape and how it feels. This gives them words ready before the first card.
Take one card at a time
Turn over a single card and let the child finish the sentence. Wait quietly. A pause gives them time to think, and they do not need to be rushed.
Finish with a question
The last card invites a listener to ask something. Show the child how to say "Does anyone have a question?" and let the listener choose what to ask.
Why show and tell helps shy children
Show and tell is a familiar part of many Reception classrooms. A child shares something from home with the group. It gives children a real reason to talk, because they know the object well and have something to say. Talking about something familiar is much easier than talking about something new, which is why it suits children who feel nervous.
For a shy child, the hard part is often not knowing where to start. A sentence opener gives them a first word and a shape for what comes next. Short prompts take away the pressure of planning a whole talk. Listening matters too. A friend who listens and asks a question shows the speaker that their words count.
Choose an object that is safe for a young child to hold and carry. Avoid anything sharp, hot, fragile or precious. A grown-up should check the object first and decide if it is suitable. An adult should also cut out the cards if scissors are needed.
Skills and curriculum link
- Speaking in sentences
- Listening
- Confidence
- Describing an object
- Asking a question
This sheet supports the area below. It is matched to the published England framework. Please check it against your own school plan.
| Framework | Subject or area | Strand | Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Years Foundation Stage | Communication and Language | Speaking | Reception |
What children will be able to do
- I can talk about something I have chosen.
- I can use short sentences.
- I can listen to my friends and ask a question.
Ideas to help children find their words
- Use the sensesObjects can be described by how they look, feel, sound or smell. Ask which sense the child can use to tell you more.
- Name the partsMost objects have parts, such as a lid, a wheel or a page. Pointing to a part and naming it gives a child something to say.
- Say whyTelling someone why we like something is a big step in talking. Children can start with a simple "because" and build from there.
- Take turnsSpeaking and listening go together. Children learn to wait, listen to a friend and then ask or answer.
Key words
- ObjectA thing you can see and hold, such as a toy or a book.
- PromptA few words that help you start talking.
- DescribeSay what something is like, such as how it looks or feels.
- SentenceA group of words that tells one idea.
- AudienceThe people who listen to you.
- QuestionSomething you ask when you want to find out more.
How to use it
- Print both pages. Page 1 is for your child. Keep page 2, which has the notes for you.
- Ask the child to choose any safe object from home and bring it to the table.
- Turn over one card at a time. Read it aloud and let the child answer in their own words.
- Work through it together the first time. Talk about each answer and show interest in what they say.
- Come back to it another day with a different object. Repeating a familiar activity builds confidence.
Help, stretch and game ideas
If it feels too hard
Answer the first card together, then let the child try the next. Say the start of the sentence slowly and wait. Let them point, show or hold the object while they speak. Stop when they have had enough and try again another day.
To stretch confident children
Ask the child to answer three cards in a row without a pause. When they are ready, they can choose which cards to use and put them in their own order. They could also help a friend to take a turn.
Make it a game
Practise with a soft toy as the audience first. The child shows the object to the toy and answers each card. When they feel ready, swap the toy for a grown-up, then a brother, sister or friend.
Talk about it
- Why did you choose this object?
- What can you tell me about how it looks?
- What does it feel like when you hold it?
- Who gave it to you, or where did you find it?
- What would you like to ask your friend about their object?
- How did it feel to talk in front of someone?
Take it off the page
Bag of surprises
Put an object in a bag. The child feels it without looking and says what they notice. Then they take it out and tell you more.
Toy interview
Sit a favourite toy in a chair. The child asks it questions and then answers for it. This builds talking and asking skills.
Draw and tell
Draw a favourite object, then tell someone about the drawing. Use words like big, soft, shiny or bumpy.
Who it is for
Parents
Sit beside your child for the first go and let them lead. Keep it relaxed and short. Smile, listen and ask one question at the end. Praise the effort of speaking, not only the words they use.
Teachers
Use the cards as a starter, a plenary, a table activity or a quiet corner task. They suit children who are reluctant to speak in a large group. A small group or a talking partner can feel less daunting than the whole class.
Home educators
Pair the cards with everyday talk, books and outdoor play. Use a different object each time and invite brothers, sisters or visitors to be the audience. The set can be used again and again.
Where this fits in a child's learning
Before this, children learn to listen, join in with songs and rhymes, and use single words and short phrases to share ideas. They also learn to take turns in conversation with a grown-up they know well.
After this, children can talk in longer groups of sentences, link ideas together and retell events in order. They can also use more describing words and answer questions with more detail. A next step is building vocabulary with topics like clothes words.
Check it worked
Ask these when the sheet is finished. Listen for the reasoning, not just the answer.
- Why did you choose this object?
- What can you tell me about how it looks or feels?
- What would you like to ask your friend about their object?
Questions parents and teachers ask
- What age is My Show and Tell Prompt Cards for?
It is written for Reception (ages 4 to 5), in the Early Years Foundation Stage. It suits children who are shy or still building confidence to speak. Younger or older children may enjoy it too with a grown-up beside them.
- What will children practise?
Children practise speaking in short sentences about an object they have chosen. They also practise listening to others and asking a question. Together these build confidence in talking to a small audience.
- How do I use it?
Let the child choose any safe object from home. They turn over one card at a time and answer. Work through it together the first time, then let the child try more of it on their own.
- What if it feels too hard?
Answer the first card together, then let the child try the next. Say the start of each sentence slowly and wait for them. Stop when they have had enough, and come back another day.
- Is it free?
Yes. It is free to print for home and classroom use. You can print it again for brothers, sisters or another group of children. Black and white printing on plain A4 paper works well.
- How long does it take?
Short bursts of ten to fifteen minutes work better than long sessions. Go at the child's pace and take one card at a time. Stop when they have had enough and return to it another day.
- Is this a screen free activity?
Yes. It is a screen free printable that needs only paper and a pencil. It works well for quiet time, rainy days and school holidays. Teachers and home educators can use it with no preparation beyond printing and cutting.
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Made by Jaques of London, making games for families since 1795. A printable supports classroom learning and does not replace a teacher.