8mo–20mo9 minActive playFree playFamily time
Clear Space Zooms: Safe Go/Stop
A quick ‘clear-then-move’ routine where you anticipate fast, unpredictable movement and help your child practise short movement bursts with gentle stop-and-start cues in a safe space.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a clear floor space (move breakables, cords, and small hazards away)
- 2 cushions/pillows to mark a ‘home base’
- one favourite toy to travel toward
- close adult supervision (stay within arm’s reach)
Nice to have
- music on a phone (for a ‘go’ cue)
- masking tape/chalk to mark a simple boundary line
- a soft ball to roll as a moving target
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneResponds to a few appropriate boundaries, with encouragement and support.Heart· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneRunsBody· 14mo–2.2y· core
- MilestoneWalks independentlyBody· 15mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneCrawls or scoots for floor mobilityBody· 7mo–12mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands simple spoken instructionsMind· 14mo–18mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows unsupported spoken requestsMind· 12mo–15mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUnderstands no or prohibitive wordsMind· 9mo–18mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneOrients toward named objectMind· 10mo–18mo· core· Step 3
What it practices
- Crawls, bottom shuffles or rolls continuously to move around.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Walks around furniture lifting one foot and stepping sideways (cruising), and walks with one or both hands held by adult.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Takes first few steps independently.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Anticipate young children’s exuberance and ensure the space is clear and suitable for their rapid and sometimes unpredictable movements.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)