0mo–11mo8 minMusicQuiet timeFamily time
Pause-and-Play Finger Rhymes
A short, face-to-face finger-and-word play routine where you repeats a familiar rhyme with predictable pauses, noticing and supporting your child’s emerging anticipation, joining-in, and turn-taking.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your hands
- a comfortable, safe place to hold or lie your child (lap, sofa, floor mat)
Nice to have
- a soft muslin/blanket (for gentle peekaboo)
- a small soft toy
- a simple cloth/board book with clear pictures (only if your child is calm and interested)
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
- MilestoneListens to familiar sounds, words, or finger plays.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneAnticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneListens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneDeveloping the ability to follow others’ body language, including pointing and gesture.Mind· 10mo–15mo· core· Step 4
- MilestonePoints and gazes to share attentionHeart· 8mo–2y· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneLooks at books with a familiar personMind· 10mo–2y· stretch· Step 4
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)