8mo–20mo10 minFree playFamily timeSocial play
Night-Night Baby: Pretend Talk Play
A short symbolic play routine where you models caring talk (sleepy, hungry, gentle) while your child puts a toy ‘baby’ to bed, building listening, attention, and early conversational turns.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a doll or teddy (the ‘baby’)
- a small cloth/blanket or towel
- a small box/basket/cushion (as a pretend bed)
Nice to have
- a spoon and cup (for pretend feeding)
- a book about bedtime (any familiar bedtime story)
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
- MilestoneSimple pretend playMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Steps 1, 3, 4
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· core· Steps 3, 4
- MilestoneFollows linked routine actionsMind· 18mo–2.3y· stretch
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar single wordsMind· 7mo–14mo· core
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· stretch
- MilestoneChildren’s later writing is based on skills and understandings which they develop as babies and toddlers. Before they can write, they need to learn to use spoken language to communicate. Later they learn to write down the words they can say. (See the roots of Writing in Communication and language).Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 2
What it practices
- Has a strong exploratory impulse.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Concentrates intently on an object or activity of own choosing for short periods.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Pays attention to dominant stimulus – easily distracted by noises or other people talking.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Plan play activities and provide resources which encourage young children to engage in symbolic play, e.g. putting a ‘baby’ to bed and talking to it appropriately.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)