0mo–11mo8 minFamily timeQuiet timeReading
My Family Photo Book: Peek, Point, Name
A calm lap-reading routine where you and your child look through a small family photo book, name familiar people/objects, and follow your child’s attention to build early book-sharing and meaning-making.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a small photo album (or a few printed photos stapled/taped into a simple booklet)
- 4–8 photos of familiar people (and/or familiar everyday objects)
- a comfortable place to sit with your child (lap, sofa, or floor mat)
Nice to have
- a pen to write simple labels (names) under photos
- a soft cloth to help your child hold/turn pages
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
- MilestoneLooks at books with a familiar personMind· 10mo–2y· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar single wordsMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneDeveloping the ability to follow others’ body language, including pointing and gesture.Mind· 10mo–15mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneExplores and handles booksMind· 6mo–12mo· core· Steps 1, 4
- MilestoneOrients toward named objectMind· 10mo–18mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneIndependent page turningBody· 10mo–22mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneUses objects functionallyMind· 10mo–15mo· core· Step 4
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Make family books using small photo albums with photos of family members, significant people in the child’s life, familiar everyday objects.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)