0mo–11mo8 minQuiet timeFamily time
Peek-a-Boo Rhyme Turns
A playful peek-a-boo and rhyme routine that builds early turn-taking, responsiveness, and listening to voices for babies in the first year.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your face and hands
Nice to have
- a small scarf/muslin cloth
- a blanket for cozy positioning
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
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneResponds to peek-a-booHeart· 8mo–10mo· core· Steps 1, 4
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneAnticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneLooks at a speaking caregiverMind· 1mo–6mo· core
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneResponds to own nameMind· 6mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Quietens or alerts to the sound of speech.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Looks intently at a person talking, but stops responding if speaker turns away.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Listens to, distinguishes and responds to intonations and sounds of voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage playfulness, turn-taking and responses, including peek-a-boo and rhymes.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)