8mo–20mo10 minFree playFamily time
Baby Play Stations Switch-Up
A short caregiver-led routine where you plans varied arrangements of simple household items for your child, rotating the setup to maintain interest and add gentle challenges (reach, find, operate).
What you'll need
Essentials
- soft mat or blanket on the floor
- 2 plastic cups/containers
- one cloth/scarf
- one safe container with lid (or a tissue box)
Nice to have
- wooden spoon
- small soft ball
- a favourite small toy
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneHas a strong exploratory impulse.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneShows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning to learn to operate them.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFinds a visibly hidden objectMind· 7mo–14mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneSearches for disappeared objectMind· 6mo–12mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneMoves obstacle to get objectMind· 8mo–12mo· stretch
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestonePuts object into containerBody· 9mo–12mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneEnjoys filling and emptying containers.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Anticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning to learn to operate them.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Watches toy being hidden and tries to find it.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Looks for dropped objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan varied arrangements of equipment and materials that can be used with babies in a variety of ways to maintain interest and provide challenges.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)