Reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.
Observe whether the child: reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.
What it looks like
Three ways this behaviour shows up as a child grows. Each level includes everyday moments to watch for.
Emerging
Just starting
The baby sometimes reacts to a familiar person (brief eye contact, small smile, a kick or arm wave), but responses are inconsistent or short-lived. They may react more when the adult is very close or uses exaggerated voice/face.
What you might see
A familiar adult leans in and talks/smiles, but the baby does not look toward the face and shows no change in expression.
During peekaboo, the baby remains still and does not smile, widen eyes, or move arms/legs.
The baby briefly smiles when a familiar adult speaks, then quickly returns to a neutral face and looks away.
The baby kicks or waves arms once when engaged, but does not repeat the reaction when the adult continues.
Expected
On track
The baby regularly reacts during interaction by looking toward the person, smiling, and making body movements (kicks, arm waves, excited wriggles). Responses are strongest with familiar adults and in calm, face-to-face moments.
What you might see
When a familiar adult starts a rhyme, the baby looks at the adult and smiles, then wriggles/kicks in excitement.
During nappy change, the baby looks at the adult’s face and responds with a smile or happy movement when spoken to.
Exceeding
Going further
The baby consistently shows lively, reciprocal reactions during interaction, combining looking, smiling, and purposeful movements to keep the exchange going. They respond across several routines (feeding, play, nappy change) and can re-engage after brief pauses.
What you might see
The baby smiles and maintains eye contact for several seconds during face-to-face talk, moving arms/legs as if ‘answering’.
If the adult pauses mid-game, the baby looks at the adult and moves excitedly (kicks, reaches) to keep it going.
The baby alternates looking at the adult’s face and making sounds/movements, then waits and reacts again when the adult responds.
When the adult changes tone (quiet vs excited), the baby adjusts their reaction (quietens and watches, then smiles/wriggles when excitement returns).
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
Nappy change: pause halfway through and talk to your baby; notice whether they look at you, smile, and move (kicks/arm waves) in response.
Peekaboo: cover your face briefly, then reveal; watch for smiling, eye contact, and excited body movement as a reaction.
Feeding break: stop for a moment and say your baby’s name; observe whether they look toward you and react with a smile or movement.
Song time: sing a short rhyme and pause; notice whether your baby reacts (smiles, wriggles, vocalises) to prompt you to continue.
Carry/transition: when picking your baby up, speak gently and watch for immediate reactions (turning head toward you, smiling, excited movement).
Connected behaviours
Behaviours that scaffold, follow, or co-emerge with this one.
The framework source and supporting developmental research.
Framework source
Development Matters in the EYFS (2012), Communication and Language: Listening and attention (birth–11 months).
DM2012 positions early reciprocal reactions (smiling, looking, moving) as observable foundations for later attention and understanding in interaction.
Five-level rubric (detailed)ShowHide
The full progression underlying the three levels above. Used by the platform’s reasoning agent when planning activities and observations.
Not Yet
The baby rarely shows a clear reaction to another person’s voice, face, or play attempts. Smiling, looking, or movement changes are minimal during interaction.
A familiar adult leans in and talks/smiles, but the baby does not look toward the face and shows no change in expression.
During peekaboo, the baby remains still and does not smile, widen eyes, or move arms/legs.
Emerging
The baby sometimes reacts to a familiar person (brief eye contact, small smile, a kick or arm wave), but responses are inconsistent or short-lived. They may react more when the adult is very close or uses exaggerated voice/face.
The baby briefly smiles when a familiar adult speaks, then quickly returns to a neutral face and looks away.
The baby kicks or waves arms once when engaged, but does not repeat the reaction when the adult continues.
Developing
The baby regularly reacts during interaction by looking toward the person, smiling, and making body movements (kicks, arm waves, excited wriggles). Responses are strongest with familiar adults and in calm, face-to-face moments.
When a familiar adult starts a rhyme, the baby looks at the adult and smiles, then wriggles/kicks in excitement.
During nappy change, the baby looks at the adult’s face and responds with a smile or happy movement when spoken to.
Secure
The baby consistently shows lively, reciprocal reactions during interaction, combining looking, smiling, and purposeful movements to keep the exchange going. They respond across several routines (feeding, play, nappy change) and can re-engage after brief pauses.
The baby smiles and maintains eye contact for several seconds during face-to-face talk, moving arms/legs as if ‘answering’.
If the adult pauses mid-game, the baby looks at the adult and moves excitedly (kicks, reaches) to keep it going.
Reflexive
The baby initiates and sustains back-and-forth interaction using coordinated smiles, gaze, vocalisations, and movements, and adapts their reactions to the adult’s cues. They may ‘invite’ more interaction by looking expectantly and moving/voicing when the adult pauses.
The baby alternates looking at the adult’s face and making sounds/movements, then waits and reacts again when the adult responds.
When the adult changes tone (quiet vs excited), the baby adjusts their reaction (quietens and watches, then smiles/wriggles when excitement returns).
