0mo–11mo7 minQuiet timeTummy timeSelf-care
Body Hello: Hands & Feet
A gentle touch-and-movement routine that helps your child notice their hands and feet through calm clapping, wiggling, and reaching, following your child’s comfort cues throughout.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a soft blanket or towel (for a comfortable surface)
- your clean, warm hands
Nice to have
- a soft cloth or muslin
- a simple baby-safe toy (e.g., a rattle or fabric tag 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
- MilestoneHands together at midlineBody· 3mo–6mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneLooks at own handsBody· 2mo–5mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch
- MilestoneReaches accurately and graspsBody· 3mo–6mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestonePlays with feet while supineBody· 4mo–14mo· core
- MilestoneSpontaneous limb movementBody· 0mo–4mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneCalms with caregiver soothingHeart· 0mo–3mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExplores objects by mouthingBody· 4mo–8mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneBriefly opens handsBody· 0mo–3mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneHolds one object in each handBody· 4mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Gradually develops ability to hold up own head.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Watches and explores hands and feet, e.g. when lying on back lifts legs into vertical position and grasps feet.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Reaches out for, touches and begins to hold objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Help babies to become aware of their own bodies through touch and movement, e.g. clapping the baby’s hands together, gently shaking baby’s foot.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)