Responds to the different things said when in a familiar context with a special person (e.g. ‘Where’s Mummy?’, ‘Where’s your nose?’).
Observe whether the child: responds to the different things said when in a familiar context with a special person (e.g. ‘Where’s Mummy?’, ‘Where’s your nose?’).
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 differently to a few familiar prompts (pause, look, smile), but responses are inconsistent and often rely on the adult’s gesture or positioning. Understanding appears tied tightly to one routine and one person.
What you might see
When asked ‘Where’s mummy?’ the baby shows no change (does not look around) and continues their current activity.
When asked ‘Where’s your nose?’ the baby does not bring hands toward face and shows no prompt-specific response.
The baby smiles at the special person’s voice but responds the same way regardless of whether the prompt is ‘Where’s mummy?’ or ‘Where’s your nose?’.
The baby responds only when the adult also points/touches the target (e.g., touches baby’s nose), not to the words alone.
Expected
On track
With a special person in a familiar context, the baby responds to a range of different spoken prompts, especially when paired with gestures (e.g., looks toward mummy, touches face area). Responses are clearer for highly familiar prompts and may be delayed.
What you might see
In a familiar spot, when asked ‘Where’s mummy?’ the baby looks toward the usual location/person after the adult glances/points.
When asked ‘Where’s your nose?’ the baby brings hands to face or looks at the adult’s hand moving toward the face.
Exceeding
Going further
The baby reliably responds to several different prompts in familiar contexts with a special person, often without needing the gesture each time (e.g., finds mummy with eyes, brings hands to nose). Responses are timely and repeatable across days.
What you might see
When asked ‘Where’s mummy?’ the baby turns head/eyes toward mummy without needing mummy to speak first.
When asked ‘Where’s your nose?’ the baby touches or pats their face/nose area (or clearly attempts) during the game.
The baby responds appropriately to a new but similar prompt (e.g., ‘Where’s daddy?’) by looking toward that person in the same familiar context.
The baby initiates by offering a body part or looking expectantly at the adult when entering the familiar game routine, before the prompt is spoken.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
Playtime (with a special person): in the same familiar spot each day, ask two different prompts (‘Where’s mummy?’ then ‘Where’s your nose?’) and notice whether your baby responds differently to each.
Mealtime: with the same special person, use two different spoken cues (‘more?’ vs ‘all done?’) and observe whether your baby shows different responses (reaches/leans vs turns away/relaxes).
Nappy change: ask ‘Where’s your tummy?’ and ‘Where’s your feet?’; see whether your baby looks/touches differently depending on the prompt.
Bath time: use prompts like ‘Where’s the duck?’ and ‘Where’s your toes?’ and observe whether your baby looks for the object vs brings attention to their body.
Out-and-about: in a familiar routine (leaving home), ask ‘Where’s the door?’ then ‘Where’s mummy?’ and notice whether your baby orients differently to place vs person.
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 frames early understanding as context-bound responses to different familiar spoken prompts with a trusted adult.
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
In familiar routines with a special person, the baby does not show clear differences in response to different spoken prompts. They may react generally to voice but not in prompt-specific ways.
When asked ‘Where’s mummy?’ the baby shows no change (does not look around) and continues their current activity.
When asked ‘Where’s your nose?’ the baby does not bring hands toward face and shows no prompt-specific response.
Emerging
The baby sometimes reacts differently to a few familiar prompts (pause, look, smile), but responses are inconsistent and often rely on the adult’s gesture or positioning. Understanding appears tied tightly to one routine and one person.
The baby smiles at the special person’s voice but responds the same way regardless of whether the prompt is ‘Where’s mummy?’ or ‘Where’s your nose?’.
The baby responds only when the adult also points/touches the target (e.g., touches baby’s nose), not to the words alone.
Developing
With a special person in a familiar context, the baby responds to a range of different spoken prompts, especially when paired with gestures (e.g., looks toward mummy, touches face area). Responses are clearer for highly familiar prompts and may be delayed.
In a familiar spot, when asked ‘Where’s mummy?’ the baby looks toward the usual location/person after the adult glances/points.
When asked ‘Where’s your nose?’ the baby brings hands to face or looks at the adult’s hand moving toward the face.
Secure
The baby reliably responds to several different prompts in familiar contexts with a special person, often without needing the gesture each time (e.g., finds mummy with eyes, brings hands to nose). Responses are timely and repeatable across days.
When asked ‘Where’s mummy?’ the baby turns head/eyes toward mummy without needing mummy to speak first.
When asked ‘Where’s your nose?’ the baby touches or pats their face/nose area (or clearly attempts) during the game.
Reflexive
The baby generalises understanding to similar prompts and can respond even when routines vary slightly, sometimes initiating the game (offering body part, looking expectantly). They can show recognition with more than one familiar adult in the same context.
The baby responds appropriately to a new but similar prompt (e.g., ‘Where’s daddy?’) by looking toward that person in the same familiar context.
The baby initiates by offering a body part or looking expectantly at the adult when entering the familiar game routine, before the prompt is spoken.
