0mo–11mo8 minMusicFamily time
Tap, Clap, Pause: Baby Rhythm Turns
A gentle call-and-response rhythm game where the adult invites your child to listen, tap, clap, and take turns with simple repeating patterns and pauses.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your hands (for clapping)
- a safe, comfortable place for your child (lap, mat, or supported sit)
- one soft ‘drum’ surface (your knee, a cushion, or a sturdy box)
- your voice (simple chant) OR quiet music on a phone
Nice to have
- one light object to tap (wooden spoon) and a plastic bowl/container (adult-supervised)
- a small scarf/cloth for peek-and-pause
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
- MilestoneListens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Steps 1, 4
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· stretch· Steps 1, 2, 3
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneMoves to music or rhythmBody· 8mo–18mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneFollows visually supported instructionsMind· 8mo–18mo· stretch· Step 2
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneChildren’s later writing is based on skills and understandings which they develop as babies and toddlers. Before they can write, they need to learn to use spoken language to communicate. Later they learn to write down the words they can say. (See the roots of Writing in Communication and language).Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 3
What it practices
- 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
- Explores and experiments with a range of media through sensory exploration, and using whole body.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Encourage babies to join in tapping and clapping along to simple rhythms.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)