Starts to understand contextual clues, e.g. familiar gestures, words and sounds.
Observe whether the child: starts to understand contextual clues, e.g. familiar gestures, words and sounds.
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 shows a small sign of recognition of a familiar cue (pauses, looks, smiles), but responses are inconsistent and depend on strong context (same person, same routine).
What you might see
When a familiar adult says ‘up you come’ with arms out, the baby shows no change (does not reach or lean) until lifted.
A familiar routine sound (bath running, bottle warming beep) happens, but the baby does not look toward the source or show anticipation.
The baby briefly pauses sucking or movement when hearing a familiar phrase (e.g., ‘all done’), but does not consistently look or respond.
When a familiar adult waves ‘bye-bye’, the baby sometimes smiles or looks, but often does nothing.
Expected
On track
In familiar routines, the baby begins to anticipate what will happen from contextual clues (a gesture, a repeated phrase, a familiar sound). They show clearer responses with a familiar adult and predictable sequences.
What you might see
When you say ‘milk’ or ‘bottle’ in the usual feeding place, the baby looks toward you/cup and may become excited (kicks, vocalises).
At the start of a familiar finger play, the baby quietens and watches, showing they recognise the opening sound/words.
Exceeding
Going further
The baby reliably responds to several familiar contextual clues across routines (gestures, words, sounds), showing anticipation (looking, reaching, body tensing/relaxing). They can respond even when the cue is brief.
What you might see
When you hold out a bib and say ‘dinner time’, the baby leans forward or raises arms before being picked up.
When you make a familiar gesture (open arms for ‘cuddle’), the baby reaches or leans in without extra prompting.
In a new room, when you say a familiar routine phrase (‘bath time’) the baby turns toward the bathroom or shows anticipation even with a different adult present.
When you say ‘where’s your nose?’ with a familiar playful tone, the baby brings hands toward face or leans in for the game.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
Mealtime: use the same short phrase (‘ready for milk’) as you prepare feeding and notice whether your baby shows anticipation before you start feeding.
Bath time: turn on the bath water and say ‘bath time’; observe whether your baby looks toward the bathroom, smiles, or becomes excited in a way that suggests recognition of the routine cue.
Getting dressed: hold up the vest or sleep sack and use a consistent cue (‘bedtime’); notice whether your baby relaxes, leans in, or changes expression as if expecting the next step.
Play: begin a familiar finger play (same opening words) and pause; see whether your baby quietens and watches, or moves as if expecting the actions.
Leaving/arriving: use a ‘bye-bye’ wave and a consistent phrase; observe whether your baby looks at the person/door or reacts as if they understand the social cue.
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: Understanding (birth–11 months).
DM2012 treats early understanding as observable responses to contextual cues (gestures, words, sounds) within familiar routines.
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 does not show clear changes in behaviour in response to familiar words, sounds, or gestures in routines. They appear to rely mainly on immediate physical handling rather than cues.
When a familiar adult says ‘up you come’ with arms out, the baby shows no change (does not reach or lean) until lifted.
A familiar routine sound (bath running, bottle warming beep) happens, but the baby does not look toward the source or show anticipation.
Emerging
The baby sometimes shows a small sign of recognition of a familiar cue (pauses, looks, smiles), but responses are inconsistent and depend on strong context (same person, same routine).
The baby briefly pauses sucking or movement when hearing a familiar phrase (e.g., ‘all done’), but does not consistently look or respond.
When a familiar adult waves ‘bye-bye’, the baby sometimes smiles or looks, but often does nothing.
Developing
In familiar routines, the baby begins to anticipate what will happen from contextual clues (a gesture, a repeated phrase, a familiar sound). They show clearer responses with a familiar adult and predictable sequences.
When you say ‘milk’ or ‘bottle’ in the usual feeding place, the baby looks toward you/cup and may become excited (kicks, vocalises).
At the start of a familiar finger play, the baby quietens and watches, showing they recognise the opening sound/words.
Secure
The baby reliably responds to several familiar contextual clues across routines (gestures, words, sounds), showing anticipation (looking, reaching, body tensing/relaxing). They can respond even when the cue is brief.
When you hold out a bib and say ‘dinner time’, the baby leans forward or raises arms before being picked up.
When you make a familiar gesture (open arms for ‘cuddle’), the baby reaches or leans in without extra prompting.
Reflexive
The baby generalises contextual understanding across people and settings, responding to familiar cues even when routines vary slightly. They may actively use the cue to initiate the next step (reaching out, offering body part, leaning in).
In a new room, when you say a familiar routine phrase (‘bath time’) the baby turns toward the bathroom or shows anticipation even with a different adult present.
When you say ‘where’s your nose?’ with a familiar playful tone, the baby brings hands toward face or leans in for the game.
