0mo–11mo8 minMusicTummy timeFamily time
Sock Puppet Glide & Dance
A gentle, music-and-movement puppet play where the adult uses simple gliding and dancing puppets to invite your child to watch, reach, explore, and imitate actions.
What you'll need
Essentials
- clean sock or mitten (for a puppet)
- small scarf/tea towel (optional second puppet or ‘dance ribbon’)
- a safe surface (tabletop you can sit at, or a floor mat)
- phone (for lively music) OR your voice for singing
Nice to have
- marker/tape to add a simple face to the sock
- baby-safe mirror (optional)
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
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneMoves to music or rhythmBody· 8mo–18mo· stretch
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneListens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneSwats or bats at objectsBody· 3mo–5mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneExplores objects by mouthingBody· 4mo–8mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneMoves rhythmically to musicBody· 11mo–23mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneClaps as a social gestureHeart· 11mo–15mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneCopies sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· stretch· Step 4
What it practices
- Explores and experiments with a range of media through sensory exploration, and using whole body.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Move their whole bodies to sounds they enjoy, such as music or a regular beat.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Imitates and improvises actions they have observed, e.g. clapping or waving.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Have a range of puppets that can glide along the table, or dance around on the end of a fist in time to some lively music.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)