8mo–20mo8 minMusicActive playFamily time
Beat & Move: Rhythm Explorers
A music-led movement routine where the adult uses simple beats and pauses to stimulate rhythmic exploration—bouncing, swaying, clapping/tapping, and moving through space—while supporting early hand coordination (two-hand tapping, holding and shaking).
What you'll need
Essentials
- music source (your voice, a phone speaker at low volume, or a simple song you can hum)
- 2 safe ‘beat makers’ (wooden spoons, plastic cups, or small soft toys)
- a clear floor space
Nice to have
- a small blanket as a ‘dance spot’
- a pot with a lid (for adult use only, out of your child’s reach if heavy/noisy)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneMoves to music or rhythmBody· 8mo–18mo· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneMoves rhythmically to musicBody· 11mo–23mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneBangs two held objects togetherBody· 8mo–10mo· core
- MilestoneBangs two objects together to make noiseMind· 4mo–12mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneHolds one object in each handBody· 4mo–10mo· stretch
- MilestoneListens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUnderstands no or prohibitive wordsMind· 9mo–18mo· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
- Holds an object in each hand and brings them together in the middle, e.g. holds two blocks and bangs them together.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Pulls to standing, holding on to furniture or person for support.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds pen or crayon using a whole hand (palmar) grasp and makes random marks with different strokes.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use music to stimulate exploration with rhythmic movements.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)