8mo–20mo10 minOutdoorActive play
Outdoor Senses: See, Hear, Smell
A short outdoor (or window/doorway) senses routine where the parent talks with the child about sights, sounds and smells, notices preferences, and uses gentle repetition so the child can anticipate and join in.
What you'll need
Essentials
- weather-appropriate clothing
- a safe outdoor spot (garden, balcony, doorway, or open window)
Nice to have
- a small safe toy to hide briefly (avoid choking hazards)
- a small container or bag for a leaf or pebble (supervised)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneHas a strong exploratory impulse.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneAnticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneExplores or responds to texturesBody· 6mo–12mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTurns toward and locates a soundMind· 1mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneLooks around a room with interest; visually scans environment for novel, interesting objects and events.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneImitates animal or environmental soundsMind· 18mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneUses different types of everyday words (nouns, verbs and adjectives, e.g. banana, go, sleep, hot).Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneFinds a visibly hidden objectMind· 7mo–14mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneSearches for disappeared objectMind· 6mo–12mo· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Closely observes what animals, people and vehicles do.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Anticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Watches toy being hidden and tries to find it.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Talk with children about their responses to sights, sounds and smells in the environment and what they like about playing outdoors.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)