—10 minQuiet timeRestNap
Find Your Snuggle
A calm, supervised routine to help your child practise early self-soothing strategies and begin reaching for or holding a comfort object during mild upset or tired moments.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small, baby-safe comfort item (e.g., muslin cloth or a small comforter)
- a calm, safe place to settle together (your arms, a mat, or a chair)
Nice to have
- one simple toy for a tiny frustration moment (e.g., rattle or ring)
- a pushchair/car seat moment you already do as part of your routine
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
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneHolds placed toy or rattleBody· 2mo–6mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar contextual cuesMind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneReaches accurately and graspsBody· 3mo–6mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneSeeks caregiver comfortHeart· 0mo–12mo· core
- MilestoneGets to know and enjoy daily routines, such as getting-up time, mealtimes, nappy time, and bedtime.Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneBrings hands to mouthBody· 2mo–4mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneSupported routine participationMind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Growing ability to soothe themselves, and may like to use a comfort object.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Is comforted by touch and people’s faces and voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Calms from being upset when held, rocked, spoken or sung to with soothing voice.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