Birth–11 monthsThe Natural WorldTechnology (aspect removed in EYFS 2021)
Looks around a room with interest; visually scans environment for novel, interesting objects and events.
Observe whether the child: looks around a room with interest; visually scans environment for novel, interesting objects and events.
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
Sometimes looks around when positioned upright or when a new sound/movement happens, but scanning is brief. May turn eyes without turning head, or stop quickly after one glance.
What you might see
In a new room, keeps gaze mostly on caregiver’s face/clothing or one nearby object without looking around.
When a sound occurs elsewhere, does not turn eyes/head to scan toward it.
Briefly looks to the side when someone enters, then quickly returns gaze forward and stops scanning.
Looks up toward a light or window for a moment, then does not continue exploring with gaze.
Expected
On track
Visually scans the room from a stable position (being held, seated supported, tummy time) and orients toward novel objects/events (light, movement, voices). Shifts gaze between multiple targets during a short observation period.
What you might see
While being held, turns head left and right to look at different parts of the room for several seconds.
On tummy time, lifts head and scans across the floor area, pausing on a moving/bright object.
Exceeding
Going further
Consistently looks around with interest in new or familiar rooms, turning eyes and head to explore different areas and tracking movement/events. Returns gaze to a novel stimulus and watches for several seconds.
What you might see
In a familiar room, periodically scans for new events (e.g., turns to watch a person walk by) and tracks them until they stop.
Looks around a new space, pausing on several different objects (lamp, doorway, toy basket) within a minute.
Shifts body/leans to see around an obstacle (e.g., turns to peer past a cushion) to keep watching something interesting.
Looks at a new event (e.g., sibling running), then looks back at an adult as if to share the moment.
Try this at home
Small everyday moments where you can notice this behaviour without setting up anything special.
New room: hold your baby upright and notice whether they scan left/right and pause on interesting objects (lights, pictures, movement).
Tummy time: place two visually interesting items on different sides and observe whether your baby shifts gaze between them.
Daily routine: when a new sound happens (doorbell, kettle), notice if your baby turns eyes/head and looks around to locate it.
Outdoors: sit together and watch whether your baby scans for moving things (people, cars, leaves) rather than staring at one spot.
Story/play: pause mid-play and see if your baby looks around the room and then re-orients to something novel that appears.
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).
Treats visually scanning the environment for novelty as a birth–11 month observable indicator of curiosity and early understanding of the world.
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
Rarely scans the environment; gaze stays fixed on one spot or drifts without purposeful looking. Shows limited interest in novel sights/events beyond very close stimuli.
In a new room, keeps gaze mostly on caregiver’s face/clothing or one nearby object without looking around.
When a sound occurs elsewhere, does not turn eyes/head to scan toward it.
Emerging
Sometimes looks around when positioned upright or when a new sound/movement happens, but scanning is brief. May turn eyes without turning head, or stop quickly after one glance.
Briefly looks to the side when someone enters, then quickly returns gaze forward and stops scanning.
Looks up toward a light or window for a moment, then does not continue exploring with gaze.
Developing
Visually scans the room from a stable position (being held, seated supported, tummy time) and orients toward novel objects/events (light, movement, voices). Shifts gaze between multiple targets during a short observation period.
While being held, turns head left and right to look at different parts of the room for several seconds.
On tummy time, lifts head and scans across the floor area, pausing on a moving/bright object.
Secure
Consistently looks around with interest in new or familiar rooms, turning eyes and head to explore different areas and tracking movement/events. Returns gaze to a novel stimulus and watches for several seconds.
In a familiar room, periodically scans for new events (e.g., turns to watch a person walk by) and tracks them until they stop.
Looks around a new space, pausing on several different objects (lamp, doorway, toy basket) within a minute.
Reflexive
Proactively seeks new sights by changing position (leans/turns body, crawls to improve view) and uses scanning to locate something of interest. Shares attention by looking from an interesting event back toward an adult.
Shifts body/leans to see around an obstacle (e.g., turns to peer past a cushion) to keep watching something interesting.
Looks at a new event (e.g., sibling running), then looks back at an adult as if to share the moment.
