Birth–11 monthsSpeakingCommunication and Language: Speaking
Lifts arms in anticipation of being picked up.
Observe whether the child: lifts arms in anticipation of being picked up.
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
Occasionally lifts arms when a pick-up is already starting (hands are close), but the response is inconsistent and may depend on mood or context.
What you might see
When a familiar adult holds out arms and says “up”, the baby does not raise arms and instead stays still or fusses.
As the adult reaches down to lift, the baby’s arms remain down at their sides without any preparatory movement.
Raises one arm only after the adult’s hands touch them, and not in earlier moments of the approach.
Lifts arms in one routine (e.g., after bath) but not in other similar pick-up moments.
Expected
On track
Lifts arms in anticipation of being picked up in familiar routines with familiar adults (e.g., after a cue like open arms or “up”), sometimes needing a pause or repeated cue.
What you might see
When the adult pauses with open arms, the baby lifts both arms toward the adult in anticipation.
During a repeated routine (e.g., into the high chair), the baby lifts arms after the adult gives the same cue.
Exceeding
Going further
Consistently lifts arms early (before contact) when a familiar adult signals a pick-up, across different daily routines, showing clear anticipation and readiness.
What you might see
As soon as the adult approaches and opens arms, the baby lifts both arms and leans toward the adult before being touched.
In more than one context (e.g., from floor and from cot), the baby lifts arms predictably when the adult is about to pick them up.
When wanting comfort, the baby looks at the adult and lifts arms repeatedly until the adult responds, then settles once picked up.
Adjusts body and arms to help the adult (e.g., lifts arms and stiffens trunk briefly) and may add a vocal sound as part of the request.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
Transitions: Before picking your baby up from the floor, hold out your arms and pause—do they lift their arms before you touch them?
After bath: As you reach for the towel pick-up, pause—does your baby raise arms in anticipation of being lifted out?
High chair: Before lifting into the chair, cue “up” and wait—does your baby lift arms as part of the routine?
Reunion: When you return to the room, hold out arms—does your baby lift arms toward you to be picked up?
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: Speaking (birth–11 months).
The construct is specified as an observable early communication behaviour embedded in familiar social 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
Does not lift arms when a familiar adult approaches to pick them up; remains passive, stiff, or distressed without showing anticipatory arm movement. Any arm movement is not clearly linked to the pick-up routine.
When a familiar adult holds out arms and says “up”, the baby does not raise arms and instead stays still or fusses.
As the adult reaches down to lift, the baby’s arms remain down at their sides without any preparatory movement.
Emerging
Occasionally lifts arms when a pick-up is already starting (hands are close), but the response is inconsistent and may depend on mood or context.
Raises one arm only after the adult’s hands touch them, and not in earlier moments of the approach.
Lifts arms in one routine (e.g., after bath) but not in other similar pick-up moments.
Developing
Lifts arms in anticipation of being picked up in familiar routines with familiar adults (e.g., after a cue like open arms or “up”), sometimes needing a pause or repeated cue.
When the adult pauses with open arms, the baby lifts both arms toward the adult in anticipation.
During a repeated routine (e.g., into the high chair), the baby lifts arms after the adult gives the same cue.
Secure
Consistently lifts arms early (before contact) when a familiar adult signals a pick-up, across different daily routines, showing clear anticipation and readiness.
As soon as the adult approaches and opens arms, the baby lifts both arms and leans toward the adult before being touched.
In more than one context (e.g., from floor and from cot), the baby lifts arms predictably when the adult is about to pick them up.
Reflexive
Uses arm-lift as an intentional request and coordination signal, adjusting posture (leaning in, bracing) and combining with eye contact/vocalisation to initiate or sustain being picked up.
When wanting comfort, the baby looks at the adult and lifts arms repeatedly until the adult responds, then settles once picked up.
Adjusts body and arms to help the adult (e.g., lifts arms and stiffens trunk briefly) and may add a vocal sound as part of the request.
