0mo–11mo9 minMusicActive playFamily time
Rock-and-Pause Rhythm Patterns
A gentle movement-to-music routine where you rocks, sways, or bounces with your child to familiar rhymes, highlighting simple repeating rhythm patterns (1–2, 1–2–3) with pauses so baby can notice and anticipate.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a safe way to hold/support your child (arms, carrier, or seated support) with close supervision
- your voice (a familiar song/rhyme)
Nice to have
- a soft blanket (if you’re sitting/rocking)
- a simple scarf/cloth for gentle ‘sway’ visuals (kept away from face)
Movement level: low
What you'll do
The 5-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneListens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneAnticipates repeated sounds, sights and actions, e.g. when an adult demonstrates an action toy several times.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneMoves to music or rhythmBody· 8mo–18mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneLearns that own voice and actions have effects on others.Heart· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneListens to familiar sounds, words, or finger plays.Mind· 0mo–11mo· core
- MilestoneDevelops an awareness of number names through their enjoyment of action rhymes and songs that relate to their experience of numbers.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch
What it practices
- Notices changes in number of objects/images or sounds in group of up to 3.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Develops an awareness of number names through their enjoyment of action rhymes and songs that relate to their experience of numbers.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Has some understanding that things exist, even when out of sight.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Move with babies to the rhythm patterns in familiar songs and rhymes.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)