8mo–20mo10 minSelf-careBath timeFamily time
Two Little Eyes Routine Rhyme
A playful personal-routine song where you points to paired body parts (eyes, hands, feet) one-by-one, helping your child hear and feel the meaning of ‘two’ in a warm, predictable way.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your voice (a simple song/rhyme)
- your hands for gentle pointing or tapping
- a routine moment (e.g., washing hands, wiping face, brushing hair)
Nice to have
- a mirror (bathroom mirror or hand mirror)
- a soft washcloth or towel
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
- MilestonePoints to named body partsMind· 18mo–2y· core
- MilestoneListens to and enjoys rhythmic patterns in rhymes and stories.Mind· 8mo–20mo· stretch
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneParticipates in songs and rhymesMind· 14mo–2.3y· core· Step 2
- MilestoneDeveloping the ability to follow others’ body language, including pointing and gesture.Mind· 10mo–15mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneUnderstands simple questionsMind· 14mo–2.2y· core· Step 3
- MilestoneResponds to the different things said when in a familiar context with a special person (e.g. ‘Where’s Mummy?’, ‘Where’s your nose?’).Mind· 0mo–11mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneShows interest in play with sounds, songs and rhymes.Mind· 16mo–2.2y· core· Step 2
What it practices
- Knows that things exist, even when out of sight.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Beginning to organise and categorise objects, e.g. putting all the teddy bears together or teddies and cars in separate piles.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Says some counting words randomly.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use song and rhymes during personal routines, e.g. ‘Two Little Eyes to Look Around’, pointing to their eyes, one by one.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)