0mo–11mo8 minQuiet timeFamily timeRest
Cozy Seat, Calm Baby
Set up a comfortable, safe seating spot so you and your child can be close, share gentle face-to-face time, and practise soothing with touch and voice.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a comfortable seat (sofa/chair) or floor cushions
- a light blanket or muslin
- one familiar comfort object (soft toy or cloth)
Nice to have
- a gentle song you can hum/sing
- a phone timer
- a dim lamp (to soften the space)
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
- MilestoneCalms with caregiver soothingHeart· 0mo–3mo· core
- MilestoneSeeks caregiver comfortHeart· 0mo–12mo· stretch
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneShows varied emotionsHeart· 2mo–8mo· stretch
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneResponds to own nameMind· 6mo–10mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Is comforted by touch and people’s faces and voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Seeks physical and emotional comfort by snuggling in to trusted adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Calms from being upset when held, rocked, spoken or sung to with soothing voice.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows a range of emotions such as pleasure, fear and excitement.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Reacts emotionally to other people’s emotions, e.g. smiles when smiled at and becomes distressed if hears another child crying.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide comfortable seating such as a sofa or cushions for baby and key person to be together.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)