0mo–11mo10 minFree playFamily timeDevelopmental play
Grab, Squish, Whoosh!
A supervised grab-and-release game using soft household objects so your child can practice grasping, squeezing, and throwing/dropping safely (choose items larger than mouth; never leave unattended).
What you'll need
Essentials
- a soft sock-ball (sock rolled into a ball)
- a clean sponge OR soft washcloth
- a lightweight plastic bowl or empty tub (as a drop target)
Nice to have
- a crinkly paper bag placed inside a cloth (no loose pieces; supervised)
- a laundry basket as a bigger target
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
- MilestoneExperiments with object actionsMind· 8mo–20mo· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestonePuts object into containerBody· 9mo–12mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneReaches accurately and graspsBody· 3mo–6mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExplores or responds to texturesBody· 6mo–12mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneLooks for a dropped objectMind· 6mo–9mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneHolds placed toy or rattleBody· 2mo–6mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneTurns toward and locates a soundMind· 1mo–11mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneExplores objects through the sensesBody· 0mo–11mo· core· Steps 1, 2, 3
- MilestoneTransfers object between handsBody· 6mo–12mo· core
- MilestoneSearches for disappeared objectMind· 6mo–12mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneSpontaneous limb movementBody· 0mo–4mo· stretch
What it practices
- Makes movements with arms and legs which gradually become more controlled.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Turns head in response to sounds and sights.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Rolls over from front to back, from back to front.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- When lying on tummy becomes able to lift first head and then chest, supporting self with forearms and then straight arms.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage babies to use resources they can grasp, squeeze and throw.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)