—8 minMealtimeQuiet timeRest
Snuggle, Settle, Face‑Time
A gentle cuddle routine in calm, familiar moments to help you notice whether your child softens, snuggles in, makes brief eye contact, and reaches to touch your skin or clothing.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a comfortable seat for you
- a quiet, safe spot to hold your child
Nice to have
- a small blanket or muslin
- a familiar comfort item (if your child uses one)
- a simple board book
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· stretch· Steps 1, 4
- MilestoneUses familiar adult to share feelings such as excitement or pleasure, and for ‘emotional refuelling’ when feeling tired, stressed or frustrated.Heart· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneSeeks caregiver comfortHeart· 0mo–12mo· core
- MilestoneEnjoys the company of others and seeks contact with others from birth.Heart· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Steps 1, 2, 3
- MilestoneLooks at and follows facesHeart· 0mo–12mo· core
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneRecognizes familiar caregiverHeart· 0mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Likes cuddles and being held: calms, snuggles in, smiles, gazes at carer’s face or strokes carer’s skin.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Gazes at faces and copies facial movements. e.g. sticking out tongue, opening mouth and widening eyes.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Recognises and is most responsive to main carer’s voice: face brightens, activity increases when familiar carer appears.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE) — construct-derived activity authored from enriched DM2012 construct