8mo–20mo9 minFree playFamily timeMealtime
Name, Look, Then Back to Play
A quick ‘attention shift’ game that supports your child to break intense focus for a moment, acknowledge you (look/gesture/vocalise), and then return to what they were doing.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a toy or object your child is already absorbed in
- your voice and gestures
Nice to have
- a small snack or cup for an everyday routine cue
- a second interesting object to point to
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
- MilestoneResponds to own nameMind· 6mo–10mo· core
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneFollows visually supported requestsMind· 12mo–15mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar single wordsMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneTurns toward and locates a soundMind· 1mo–11mo· core· Step 1
What it practices
- Rigid attention – may appear not to hear.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Concentrates intently on an object or activity of own choosing for short periods.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Understands simple sentences (e.g. ‘Throw the ball.’)Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — construct-derived activity authored from enriched DM2012 construct