0mo–11mo6 minSelf-careToiletingMealtime
Hands Busy While You Prep
A calm care-routine strategy where you offers your child a safe object to hold while preparing food or a nappy change, helping waiting feel predictable and supporting early self-regulation.
What you'll need
Essentials
- one baby-safe object for holding (a soft cloth, a lightweight rattle, a teether, or a small board book)
- a safe place for your child to wait (your arms, a mat, a bouncer/seat used appropriately and supervised)
Nice to have
- a second baby-safe object for swapping
- a clean cloth for wiping hands/face
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
- MilestoneCalms with caregiver soothingHeart· 0mo–3mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneUses familiar adult to share feelings such as excitement or pleasure, and for ‘emotional refuelling’ when feeling tired, stressed or frustrated.Heart· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneHolds placed toy or rattleBody· 2mo–6mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExplores objects by mouthingBody· 4mo–8mo· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Give babies toys to hold while you are preparing their food, or gathering materials for a nappy change.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)