0mo–11mo8 minDevelopmental playTummy timeFree play
Touch-to-Noise Reach & Kick
A simple cause-and-effect movement routine where you offers your child safe, touch-activated ‘move or noise’ objects to encourage reaching, kicking, turning, and early rolling attempts.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a soft blanket or mat on the floor
- 1 safe ‘noise or movement’ item you can HOLD (e.g., a clean plastic bottle with a small amount of dry rice sealed tightly, a crinkly clean wrapper inside a sock, a jingly set of keys-like sound made by tapping a spoon on a metal cup)
Nice to have
- a soft scarf or cloth for gentle ‘whoosh’ movement
- a rolled towel for tummy-time support (if needed)
Movement level: mild
What you'll do
The 4-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneRepeats actions that have an effect, e.g. kicking or hitting a mobile or shaking a rattle.Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneReaches for nearby objectsBody· 4mo–11mo· core
- MilestoneExperiments with object actionsMind· 8mo–20mo· stretch· Steps 2, 3
- MilestoneTurns toward and locates a soundMind· 1mo–11mo· stretch
- MilestoneSpontaneous limb movementBody· 0mo–4mo· core
- MilestoneFleeting Attention – not under child’s control, new stimuli takes whole attention.Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneProne head and chest liftBody· 3mo–15mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneProne forearm supportBody· 2mo–6mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneBrief prone head liftBody· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 4
- MilestoneTurns head while supineBody· 0mo–2mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneRolls over independentlyBody· 5mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Turns head in response to sounds and sights.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Makes movements with arms and legs which gradually become more controlled.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- When lying on tummy becomes able to lift first head and then chest, supporting self with forearms and then straight arms.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Rolls over from front to back, from back to front.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Provide resources that move or make a noise when touched to stimulate babies to reach out with their arms and legs.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)