8–20 monthsThe Natural WorldTechnology (aspect removed in EYFS 2021)
Looks for dropped objects.
Observe whether the child: looks for dropped objects.
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
Shows brief searching when an object drops (e.g., looks down momentarily), especially if the sound is loud or the object was highly interesting. Searching is short-lived and easily abandoned.
What you might see
Drops a spoon/toy and continues looking forward without glancing down or around.
When an object rolls away out of view, does not turn head or shift body to search.
After an object drops, glances down for a second, then returns to another activity.
Looks toward the sound of a dropped object but does not attempt to locate it visually.
Expected
On track
Looks down and attempts to locate a dropped object in familiar situations (highchair, lap, floor play) and may reach toward the general area. Often needs the object to be easy to see or close to succeed.
What you might see
Looks down after dropping a toy from the sofa and reaches over the edge toward it when it is visible.
During floor play, watches an object fall and crawls a short distance to pick it up if it lands nearby.
Exceeding
Going further
Consistently searches for dropped objects across contexts (mealtime, play, outdoors) and persists until it is found or retrieved. Coordinates looking and reaching (or crawling) toward where it fell.
What you might see
When a toy drops behind their leg, pauses, looks around, then shifts position to spot it and retrieve it.
In a highchair, looks down at the floor after dropping food/toy and points or reaches toward where it landed.
After dropping a ball that rolls under a table edge, moves to peer under and reaches to get it.
Drops a toy on purpose, watches it fall, then immediately looks down and searches for it again.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
Mealtime: when a spoon or snack drops from the highchair, notice whether your child looks down or searches for it.
Floor play: gently roll a toy so it goes out of sight behind a cushion and see if your child looks for where it went.
Transition time: while packing a bag, let a soft toy "accidentally" fall beside the sofa and observe whether your child tracks and searches.
Outdoors: drop a ball near your child (safe space) and watch whether they look down and move to retrieve it.
Story/play: hide a small toy under a cloth in front of your child after letting it slip from your hand and notice whether they look toward the drop point.
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), DfE (DM2012).
Frames searching for dropped objects as a key observable in early understanding of the physical world (8–20 months).
Developmental research
Piaget, J. (1954). The Construction of Reality in the Child.
Object permanence and search behaviours provide a classic empirical basis for observing infants’ understanding of object continuity when out of sight.
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 search for an object after it drops out of sight; attention shifts away as if the object is gone. May show little or no attempt to look down or reach toward where it fell.
Drops a spoon/toy and continues looking forward without glancing down or around.
When an object rolls away out of view, does not turn head or shift body to search.
Emerging
Shows brief searching when an object drops (e.g., looks down momentarily), especially if the sound is loud or the object was highly interesting. Searching is short-lived and easily abandoned.
After an object drops, glances down for a second, then returns to another activity.
Looks toward the sound of a dropped object but does not attempt to locate it visually.
Developing
Looks down and attempts to locate a dropped object in familiar situations (highchair, lap, floor play) and may reach toward the general area. Often needs the object to be easy to see or close to succeed.
Looks down after dropping a toy from the sofa and reaches over the edge toward it when it is visible.
During floor play, watches an object fall and crawls a short distance to pick it up if it lands nearby.
Secure
Consistently searches for dropped objects across contexts (mealtime, play, outdoors) and persists until it is found or retrieved. Coordinates looking and reaching (or crawling) toward where it fell.
When a toy drops behind their leg, pauses, looks around, then shifts position to spot it and retrieve it.
In a highchair, looks down at the floor after dropping food/toy and points or reaches toward where it landed.
Reflexive
Predicts where objects will land and adapts searching strategies (peers over edge, checks under tray/blanket, changes position). May drop an object intentionally to watch it fall, then looks for it again.
After dropping a ball that rolls under a table edge, moves to peer under and reaches to get it.
Drops a toy on purpose, watches it fall, then immediately looks down and searches for it again.
