0mo–11mo8 minQuiet timeSelf-careRest
Snuggle Object Starter
A short caregiver-led routine to introduce a simple comfort item from home and pair it with your soothing voice, helping your baby experience a familiar cue during transitions. Choose only safe items and supervise closely.
What you'll need
Essentials
- one simple comfort item from home (soft cloth, small blanket, or soft toy appropriate for your baby)
- a caregiver's calming voice (hum or song)
- a comfortable chair or floor cushion for holding your baby safely
Nice to have
- a muslin or lightweight cloth to hold while you cuddle (supervised)
- a short familiar phrase you repeat during calming (for example, I am here)
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
- MilestoneCalms with caregiver soothingHeart· 0mo–3mo· core
- MilestoneSeeks caregiver comfortHeart· 0mo–12mo· stretch
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core· Steps 2, 4
- MilestoneExplores objects through the sensesBody· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneLooks at a speaking caregiverMind· 1mo–6mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneExplores objects by linking together different approaches: shaking, hitting, looking, feeling, tasting, mouthing, pulling, turning and poking.Body· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneExplores objects by mouthingBody· 4mo–8mo· core· Step 1
What it practices
- Is comforted by touch and people’s faces and voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Seeks physical and emotional comfort by snuggling in to trusted adults.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Calms from being upset when held, rocked, spoken or sung to with soothing voice.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Shows a range of emotions such as pleasure, fear and excitement.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Reacts emotionally to other people’s emotions, e.g. smiles when smiled at and becomes distressed if hears another child crying.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Suggest to parents bringing something from home as a transitional (comfort) object.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)