0mo–11mo8 minTummy timeDevelopmental playFamily time
Jingle Reach & Kick Play
A short, baby-led floor-play routine using safe household items that move or make a gentle sound when touched, inviting reaching with hands and feet while you watch comfort cues and stop early if needed.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a safe, firm floor space (play mat/blanket)
- 2–3 baby-safe items that move or make a gentle sound when touched (e.g., crinkly cloth, soft rattle, sealed shaker made from a small container taped shut)
- a small rolled towel/blanket (for positioning support if needed)
Nice to have
- a soft scarf/muslin (for slow ‘peek’ and tracking)
- an unbreakable baby-safe mirror placed beside baby (not underneath)
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
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core
- MilestoneReaches accurately and graspsBody· 3mo–6mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExplores objects through the sensesBody· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 2
- MilestonePlays with feet while supineBody· 4mo–14mo· core
- MilestoneExplores objects by mouthingBody· 4mo–8mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneBrief prone head liftBody· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneProne head lift with turningBody· 1mo–3mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneHolds one object in each handBody· 4mo–10mo· stretch
- MilestonePincer grasp for small objectsBody· 8mo–12mo· stretch
What it practices
- Gradually develops ability to hold up own head.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Watches and explores hands and feet, e.g. when lying on back lifts legs into vertical position and grasps feet.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Reaches out for, touches and begins to hold objects.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Explores objects with mouth, often picking up an object and holding it to the mouth.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide resources that move or make a noise when touched to stimulate babies to reach out with their arms and legs.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)