0mo–11mo10 minQuiet timeRestFamily time
Home Language Song Cuddle
A gentle, culturally inclusive singing-and-story routine that uses the baby’s home language(s) to support listening to voices, attention, and responsive interaction.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a comfortable place to hold or sit with your baby
Nice to have
- a simple picture book (any language)
- a soft cloth or blanket
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
- MilestoneListens to familiar sounds, words, or finger plays.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneLooks at a speaking caregiverMind· 1mo–6mo· core
- MilestoneLooks at and follows facesHeart· 0mo–12mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneMoves to music or rhythmBody· 8mo–18mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneResponds to own nameMind· 6mo–10mo· stretch
- MilestoneTurns toward and locates a soundMind· 1mo–11mo· stretch
What it practices
- Listens to, distinguishes and responds to intonations and sounds of voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Quietens or alerts to the sound of speech.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Looks intently at a person talking, but stops responding if speaker turns away.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Share stories, songs and rhymes from all cultures and in babies’ home languages.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)