8mo–20mo10 minFree playFamily timeQuiet time
Follow-the-Lead Discovery Basket
A responsive exploration activity where you sets out a few baby-safe household objects and follows your child’s attention, joining in with simple words, warm pauses, and gentle turn-taking.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a clear, safe floor space (mat or blanket if helpful)
- 3–5 baby-safe household objects with different textures (e.g., wooden spoon, plastic cup, scarf, empty box, silicone spatula)
Nice to have
- a shallow basket or tray
- a child-safe mirror placed securely at floor level
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
- MilestoneExplores with caregiver as secure baseHeart· 10mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneUses familiar adult support in new situationsHeart· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 4
- MilestonePoints and gazes to share attentionHeart· 8mo–2y· stretch
- MilestonePuts object into containerBody· 9mo–12mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTakes object from containerBody· 10mo–13mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFinds a visibly hidden objectMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows visually supported requestsMind· 12mo–15mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCrawls or scoots for floor mobilityBody· 7mo–12mo· core· Step 1
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Follow young babies’ lead as they explore their surroundings, people and resources.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)