0mo–11mo8 minFamily timeSelf-careChore time
Wave & Word: Action-Backed Talk
A short action-and-words routine where you pairs simple gestures (like waving) with clear words so your child can tune in, anticipate, and begin to respond through looks, movement, and early imitation.
What you'll need
Essentials
- your hands (for simple gestures like waving)
- a familiar ‘person or thing’ to say hello/bye to (e.g., another adult in the home, a toy, or a window/doorway)
Nice to have
- a soft toy for pretending to come and go
- a small mirror (only if safe and supervised)
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
- MilestoneWaves bye-byeHeart· 10mo–12mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneCopies simple gestures or actionsMind· 6mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar single wordsMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch
- MilestonePlays simple back-and-forth gamesHeart· 6mo–14mo· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneEarly visual trackingBody· 0mo–2mo· stretch· Step 1
- MilestoneLooks at a speaking caregiverMind· 1mo–6mo· core
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneResponds to own nameMind· 6mo–10mo· stretch
What it practices
- Quietens or alerts to the sound of speech.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Looks intently at a person talking, but stops responding if speaker turns away.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
- Listens to, distinguishes and responds to intonations and sounds of voices.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Use actions to support your words, e.g. waving when you say ‘bye bye’.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)