Birth–11 monthsManaging SelfPersonal, Social and Emotional Development: Self-confidence and self-awareness
Laughs and gurgles, e.g. shows pleasure at being tickled and other physical interactions.
Observe whether the child: laughs and gurgles, e.g. shows pleasure at being tickled and other physical interactions.
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 child sometimes smiles or makes brief happy sounds during gentle physical play, but laughter/gurgling is short-lived or inconsistent. The child may enjoy only very specific interactions (one person, one type of play).
What you might see
During gentle tickling or bouncing, the child stays stiff/neutral and does not vocalise pleasure.
Physical play reliably leads to fussing or turning away rather than smiles or gurgles.
Smiles briefly when tickled, but no laughter/gurgles and quickly looks away.
Makes a short happy squeal once, then becomes uncertain or stops engaging.
Expected
On track
With a familiar adult and predictable play (tickles, bouncing, gentle rough-and-tumble), the child often laughs or gurgles and shows clear pleasure. The child still needs the adult to set and pace the interaction.
What you might see
Laughs or gurgles during a familiar tickle game with a known adult and looks back for more.
Kicks legs/arms excitedly and vocalises while being gently bounced on a lap.
Exceeding
Going further
The child consistently laughs/gurgles across a range of safe physical interactions and keeps the shared play going by staying engaged. The child shows pleasure signals and can also show clear “stop” cues when overstimulated.
What you might see
Laughs repeatedly during a playful routine (e.g., “1–2–3… tickle!”) and waits for the next turn.
Shows a clear stop signal (turns away/raises hands) and then re-engages when the adult slows down.
Initiates the game by leaning toward the adult, offering hands/feet, or making an inviting sound.
Anticipates the “tickle” moment (smiles/laughs before contact) and then looks to the adult to continue.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
During a short playful routine (gentle bouncing, peekaboo tickle), does your child laugh/gurgle and then look at you as if to keep it going?
Try a predictable pattern (“ready… steady… go!”) before the tickle—does your child anticipate with a smile or a gurgle before you touch them?
In a calm moment after a feed, do 30 seconds of gentle physical play—does your child’s enjoyment show up as repeated laughter/gurgling rather than just one brief smile?
During bath time (splashing toes, gentle pouring), notice whether your child shows pleasure vocalisations and keeps attention on you.
If your child seems overstimulated, pause—do they show a clear stop cue and then re-engage when you slow the play?
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 Early Years Foundation Stage (2012), DfE.
Pleasure vocalisations in shared physical interaction are framed as observable indicators of early social-emotional development.
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 child rarely shows pleasure vocalisations during playful physical interaction and may stay neutral, tense, or distressed. Responses do not look like laughter/gurgling connected to shared play.
During gentle tickling or bouncing, the child stays stiff/neutral and does not vocalise pleasure.
Physical play reliably leads to fussing or turning away rather than smiles or gurgles.
Emerging
The child sometimes smiles or makes brief happy sounds during gentle physical play, but laughter/gurgling is short-lived or inconsistent. The child may enjoy only very specific interactions (one person, one type of play).
Smiles briefly when tickled, but no laughter/gurgles and quickly looks away.
Makes a short happy squeal once, then becomes uncertain or stops engaging.
Developing
With a familiar adult and predictable play (tickles, bouncing, gentle rough-and-tumble), the child often laughs or gurgles and shows clear pleasure. The child still needs the adult to set and pace the interaction.
Laughs or gurgles during a familiar tickle game with a known adult and looks back for more.
Kicks legs/arms excitedly and vocalises while being gently bounced on a lap.
Secure
The child consistently laughs/gurgles across a range of safe physical interactions and keeps the shared play going by staying engaged. The child shows pleasure signals and can also show clear “stop” cues when overstimulated.
Laughs repeatedly during a playful routine (e.g., “1–2–3… tickle!”) and waits for the next turn.
Shows a clear stop signal (turns away/raises hands) and then re-engages when the adult slows down.
Reflexive
The child initiates or extends playful physical routines (offers body part to tickle, anticipates and responds in turn-taking) and flexibly enjoys variations in play. The child uses laughter and excited vocalisation to invite continued social engagement.
Initiates the game by leaning toward the adult, offering hands/feet, or making an inviting sound.
Anticipates the “tickle” moment (smiles/laughs before contact) and then looks to the adult to continue.
