8mo–20mo10 minDevelopmental playFree playFamily time
Free-Move Zone: Crawl, Reach, Stand
A quick set-up-and-play routine where you create a clear “yes space” so your child can move freely (crawling, cruising, pulling to stand) while building early hand skills through reaching, carrying, banging two objects together, and simple mark making.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a clear floor space (living room/bedroom) with breakables moved away
- a blanket or play mat
- 2 sturdy, baby-safe objects to hold (blocks, plastic cups, wooden spoons, or small soft toys)
Nice to have
- a pillow/cushion (to create a small ‘step over’ or ‘climb’ challenge)
- paper (or a cardboard box panel) and a chunky crayon
- one favorite toy to use as a ‘travel target’
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneCrawls or scoots for floor mobilityBody· 7mo–12mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core
- MilestonePulls to standBody· 8mo–13mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneBangs two held objects togetherBody· 8mo–10mo· core
- MilestoneHolds one object in each handBody· 4mo–10mo· stretch
- MilestoneTransfers object between handsBody· 6mo–12mo· core· Step 3
- MilestonePalmar grasp on writing toolBody· 10mo–22mo· stretch
- MilestoneScribbles or makes marksBody· 12mo–22mo· stretch
- MilestoneFeeds self with fingersBody· 11mo–16mo· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Pulls to standing, holding on to furniture or person for support.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds an object in each hand and brings them together in the middle, e.g. holds two blocks and bangs them together.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Picks up small objects between thumb and fingers.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Enjoys the sensory experience of making marks in damp sand, paste or paint.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Holds pen or crayon using a whole hand (palmar) grasp and makes random marks with different strokes.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan space to encourage free movement.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)