0mo–11mo10 minReadingFree playFamily time
Book Basket: Pick, Feel, Repeat
A short ‘book buffet’ where you collect a small range of baby-safe books, offer your child a choice, and share the chosen book slowly with lots of pauses, naming what your child looks at and enjoying repeating favourites.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–4 baby-safe books (board books and/or cloth books)
- a low basket/box or a small pile of books on the floor
- a comfortable, safe place for your child (lap, sofa, or floor mat)
Nice to have
- a simple rhyme or song from home to pair with one book
- a small soft toy to ‘visit’ a picture in the book
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneLooks at books with a familiar personMind· 10mo–2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneExplores and handles booksMind· 6mo–12mo· stretch· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneSustains visual attention brieflyMind· 1mo–4mo· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneExplores objects through the sensesBody· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneListens to familiar sounds, words, or finger plays.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneGestures wants or needsMind· 10mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 4
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Collect a range of board books, cloth books and stories to share with young babies.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)