0mo–11mo6 minBath timeMealtimeQuiet time
Bouncy Voice: Tune-In Talk
A short ‘lively voice’ routine where you uses gentle ups-and-downs in pitch and rhythm to help your child tune in to speech sounds, pauses, and early turn-taking.
What you'll need
Essentials
- a calm, safe place where you can face your child
- one simple household sound-maker (e.g., keys in an adult hand, a rattle, or a sealed container with dry pasta)
Nice to have
- a soft toy (for ‘talking’ and attention focus)
- a small cloth (for gentle peekaboo)
Movement level: false
What you'll do
The 3-step guide, with what to look for at each step, is for signed-in parents.
What this develops
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Steps 1, 2
- MilestoneTakes turns making soundsHeart· 4mo–8mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneVocalizes back during interactionHeart· 2mo–8mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneLooks at a speaking caregiverMind· 1mo–6mo· core
- MilestoneResponds to own nameMind· 6mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Listens to, distinguishes and responds to intonations and sounds of voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Quietens or alerts to the sound of speech.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Turns toward a familiar sound then locates range of sounds with accuracy.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use a lively voice, with ups and downs to help babies tune in.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)