8mo–20mo10 minFree playFamily time
Ceiling & Corner Look-About
A gentle visual exploration routine where you offers your child a few safe, interesting things to look at around the room (up at the ceiling, into a corner), building attention, tracking, and shared “look at that!” moments.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 safe, interesting items to look at (e.g., a colourful scarf, a shiny spoon, a soft toy)
- a clear floor space or mat/blanket
Nice to have
- a simple picture on paper (bold shapes/colours) taped safely out of reach
- a phone torch/flashlight used on a wall or ceiling (never into eyes)
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
- MilestoneLooks around a room with interest; visually scans environment for novel, interesting objects and events.Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneHas a strong exploratory impulse.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFleeting Attention – not under child’s control, new stimuli takes whole attention.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneSearches for disappeared objectMind· 6mo–12mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneDemonstrates sense of self as an individual, e.g. wants to do things independently, says “No” to adult.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneLooks for a dropped objectMind· 6mo–9mo· stretch· Step 3
What it practices
- Closely observes what animals, people and vehicles do.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Anticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.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
- “Provide a variety of interesting things for babies to see when they are looking around them, looking up at the ceiling or peering into a corner.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)