0mo–11mo8 minFamily timeQuiet timeMealtime
Home-Language Key Words: Say, Pause, Respond
Pick 3–5 everyday key words from your child’s home language and use them consistently in a tiny routine (say + pause + respond) to build warm back-and-forth communication and help your child show needs and feelings through sounds and signals.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a comfortable, safe place to hold or sit with your child
- paper and a pen (or notes app) to write 3–5 key words
Nice to have
- a familiar comfort item (blanket/muslin)
- a small soft toy or rattle
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
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar contextual cuesMind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· core
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar single wordsMind· 7mo–14mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneRaises arms to be picked upHeart· 6mo–9mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneUses single meaningful wordsMind· 8mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneReciprocal social smileHeart· 1mo–4mo· stretch· Step 1
What it practices
- Communicates needs and feelings in a variety of ways including crying, gurgling, babbling and squealing.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Lifts arms in anticipation of being picked up.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
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Learn and use key words in the home languages of babies in the setting.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)