0mo–11mo7 minFamily timeQuiet time
Pause-and-Join Finger Play
A playful routine that helps babies learn to anticipate what comes next and ‘join in’ with tiny movements or sounds during finger and word play.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your hands
- a comfortable place for baby to watch your face (lap, mat, bed)
Nice to have
- a soft toy (for peekaboo or ‘hello’ waves)
- a nursery rhyme book (optional)
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
- MilestoneAnticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core
- MilestoneListens to familiar sounds, words, or finger plays.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· stretch
- MilestoneListens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 2
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Notice and support babies’ developing responses as they learn to anticipate and join in with finger and word play.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)