—10 minSelf-careFamily timeOutdoor
Turn Around, Knees Down
A closely supervised stair/step routine where your child practises turning around at the top and coming down 1–2 steps backwards on knees, using hands to feel for the next step and pausing to reset with you close by.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a single bottom step (or a firm cushion/foam step on a mat)
- an adult right beside your child
Nice to have
- a favourite toy placed at the bottom
- non-slip socks or bare feet (whichever is safer on your surface)
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
- MilestoneComes downstairs backwards on knees (crawling).Body· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 2
- MilestoneResponds to a few appropriate boundaries, with encouragement and support.Heart· 8mo–20mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneUnderstands simple spoken instructionsMind· 14mo–18mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneFollows unsupported spoken requestsMind· 12mo–15mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneGestures to recruit helpMind· 9mo–21mo· stretch· Step 4
- MilestoneGestures wants or needsMind· 10mo–2.3y· core· Step 4
- MilestoneCrawls or scoots for floor mobilityBody· 7mo–12mo· stretch
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 4
What it practices
- Comes downstairs backwards on knees (crawling).Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Crawls, bottom shuffles or rolls continuously to move around.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Walks around furniture lifting one foot and stepping sideways (cruising), and walks with one or both hands held by adult.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