0mo–11mo10 minFree playOutdoorFamily time
Mini Sensory Tour: Indoors & Outdoors
A gentle ‘sensory tour’ that adds small novelty (new sights, sounds, textures) to encourage baby to use senses and move—indoors and, if possible, briefly outdoors—always following cues and keeping it calm.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a safe floor space (mat/blanket) for a brief indoor ‘station’
- 2–3 simple novelty items (household-safe): e.g., a wooden spoon tapping a bowl (quietly), a textured cloth, an unbreakable mirror
- weather-appropriate clothing/blanket for a brief doorway/outdoor pause (optional)
Nice to have
- a lightweight toy to place just out of reach (for turning/reaching)
- a pram/stroller or carrier if going outside briefly
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
- MilestoneExplores objects through the sensesBody· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneFleeting Attention – not under child’s control, new stimuli takes whole attention.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core
- MilestoneExplores or responds to texturesBody· 6mo–12mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneTurns toward and locates a soundMind· 1mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneSpontaneous limb movementBody· 0mo–4mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneKeeps head steadyBody· 5mo–10mo· stretch
- MilestoneReacts to loud or sudden soundBody· 0mo–3mo· stretch· Step 1
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 novelty in the environment that encourages babies to use all of their senses and move indoors and outdoors.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)