8mo–20mo9 minFamily timeFree playQuiet time
Click and Look: Camera Play
A short, supervised play routine where you incorporates a familiar technology tool (a camera/phone camera) into play with your child to support curiosity, cause-and-effect, and noticing what they see on screen vs in real life.
What you'll need
Essentials
- phone camera or a simple camera
- one favourite toy
- a small cloth or blanket
Nice to have
- mirror
- second everyday object (cup or ball)
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
- MilestoneShows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning to learn to operate them.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneExperiments with object actionsMind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneMatches identical objects and picturesMind· 15mo–2.5y· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneOperates mechanical toys, e.g. turns the knob on a wind-up toy or pulls back on a friction car.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneFinds a visibly hidden objectMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneSearches for disappeared objectMind· 6mo–12mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneHas a strong exploratory impulse.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneReacts to disappearanceMind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
- Shows interest in toys with buttons, flaps and simple mechanisms and beginning to learn to operate them.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
- Watches toy being hidden and tries to find it.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Incorporate technology resources that children recognise into their play, such as a camera.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)