0mo–11mo8 minTummy timeQuiet timeFamily time
Roll & Reach Explorer
A gentle, baby-led rolling game where your child explores object movement and properties (roll, stop, near, far) through safe ball play and sensory exploration.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 1 soft ball (or a rolled-up pair of socks)
- a clear floor space or play mat
- 1 small towel/blanket for comfortable positioning
Nice to have
- 1 contrasting object that does not roll easily (e.g., soft block or fabric pouch)
- a shallow box or laundry basket (for 'in/out' play, supervised)
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
- MilestoneExplores objects through the sensesBody· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneTracks a moving object across midlineBody· 2mo–5mo· core
- MilestoneEarly visual trackingBody· 0mo–2mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneExplores objects by mouthingBody· 4mo–8mo· core· Step 3
What it practices
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage babies’ explorations of the characteristics of objects, e.g. by rolling a ball to them.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)