8mo–20mo7 minMusicFamily time
Sound Mirror Play: Copy My Noises
A short sound-exploration game where you helps your child notice, explore, and imitate simple vocal and object sounds with lots of pauses and turn-taking.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your voice (for simple sounds like 'mmm', 'ba', 'shh')
- 1–2 safe household sound-makers (e.g., wooden spoon and pot, crinkly paper, empty plastic container) (close supervision)
Nice to have
- a soft toy to 'take a turn' making sounds
- a small mirror (only if safe and supervised) for mouth-watching
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 sounds or wordsMind· 10mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneListens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Mind· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneExperiments with object actionsMind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneRecognizes familiar environmental soundsMind· 12mo–2y· core
- MilestoneGestures wants or needsMind· 10mo–2.3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneEnjoys the company of others and seeks contact with others from birth.Heart· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar single wordsMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch
- MilestoneClaps as a social gestureHeart· 11mo–15mo· core· Step 3
- MilestoneDemonstrates sense of self as an individual, e.g. wants to do things independently, says “No” to adult.Heart· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Has a strong exploratory impulse.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Concentrates intently on an object or activity of own choosing for short periods.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Listens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Enjoys rhymes and demonstrates listening by trying to join in with actions or vocalisations.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage young children to explore and imitate sound.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)