0mo–11mo9 minFamily timeBath timeMealtime
Hello in Two Languages
A warm greeting routine using one English greeting and one family greeting, with pauses so your child can ‘reply’ with looks, smiles, movements, and early sounds.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a calm moment with your child (cuddle/play/feeding)
- paper and pen (or phone notes app)
Nice to have
- a second caregiver to text/call for the family greeting spelling/pronunciation
- a favourite soft toy (as a ‘greeter’)
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
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· core
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· core
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Steps 1, 2, 3
- MilestoneReciprocal social smileHeart· 1mo–4mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneProduces reduplicated babbleMind· 5mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Communicates needs and feelings in a variety of ways including crying, gurgling, babbling and squealing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Find out from parents greetings used in English and in languages other than English, and use them in the setting.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)