0mo–11mo10 minFree playReadingFamily time
You Notice, I Name: Baby Interest Talk
A responsive ‘follow their lead’ activity where you watches what your child looks at or reaches for, then gives it meaning with simple words and pauses to support listening, attention, and early understanding.
What you'll need
Essentials
- 2–3 safe, everyday objects your child can look at (e.g., spoon, soft toy, cloth, cup)
- a comfortable spot to sit together (floor mat, sofa with supervision, or your lap)
Nice to have
- a simple board book or picture book
- 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
- MilestonePoints and gazes to share attentionHeart· 8mo–2y· stretch· Steps 1, 3
- MilestoneUnderstands familiar single wordsMind· 7mo–14mo· stretch
- MilestoneResponds to a speaking personHeart· 0mo–14mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneLooks at a speaking caregiverMind· 1mo–6mo· core
- MilestoneAlerts or calms to speechMind· 0mo–4mo· core· Step 1
- MilestoneGestures wants or needsMind· 10mo–2.3y· stretch· Step 3
- MilestoneChildren’s later writing is based on skills and understandings which they develop as babies and toddlers. Before they can write, they need to learn to use spoken language to communicate. Later they learn to write down the words they can say. (See the roots of Writing in Communication and language).Mind· 0mo–11mo· core· Step 3
- 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
- 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
- Quietens or alerts to the sound of speech.Observable behaviour from Development Matters
Where it comes from
- Source
- Development Matters in the EYFS (DfE, 2012)
- Original guidance
- “Interpret and give meaning to the things young babies show interest in, e.g. when babies point to an object tell them what it is.”
- License
- Open Government Licence v3.0
- Attribution
- © Crown Copyright 2012 (Development Matters in the EYFS, DfE)