—10 minFree playFamily timeQuiet time
Cuddle, Then Back to Play
Supported floor play that helps your baby check in with you when excited or frustrated, take a brief cuddle/voice contact, then re-engage.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your voice and arms
- a comfy mat/blanket
- one favourite baby-safe toy
Nice to have
- a small muslin/cloth
- a second baby-safe toy
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
- MilestoneUses familiar adult to share feelings such as excitement or pleasure, and for ‘emotional refuelling’ when feeling tired, stressed or frustrated.Heart· 0mo–11mo· core· Steps 1, 2, 3
- MilestoneSeeks caregiver comfortHeart· 0mo–12mo· stretch
- MilestoneCalms with caregiver soothingHeart· 0mo–3mo· core
- MilestoneExplores with caregiver as secure baseHeart· 10mo–20mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneUses familiar adult support in new situationsHeart· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneEnjoys the company of others and seeks contact with others from birth.Heart· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneResponds to own nameMind· 6mo–10mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneGestures wants or needsMind· 10mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
What it practices
- Uses familiar adult to share feelings such as excitement or pleasure, and for ‘emotional refuelling’ when feeling tired, stressed or frustrated.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Is comforted by touch and people’s faces and voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Growing ability to soothe themselves, and may like to use a comfort object.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — construct-derived activity authored from enriched DM2012 construct