Learning Curve activities — EYFS-aligned
Voice activities authored by Learning Curve, aligned to the UK Early Years Foundation Stage. The observable behaviours come verbatim from EYFS Development Matters; the activities — what you say, how you scaffold, what to watch for — are Learning Curve’s. Filter by age band, area, or moment of day to find what fits your child today.
460 things to observe · 868 voice activities · across 17 Early Learning Goals
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- Communication and LanguageVoice
Being physically close, making eye contact, using touch…
“Get close so your child can see your face. Say their name softly: “Hi your child…” then pause. Offer a gentle touch (hand on tummy, a soft stroke, or holding hands) and wait for any response: a look, a wiggle, a smile, a sound, or stilling.”
0–11 months7 minTummy timeMealtime - Communication and LanguageVoice
Playfulness, turn-taking and responses, including peek-a-boo and rhymes
“Cover your face with your hands or a cloth and say softly: “Where’s parent_name?” Pause for a moment, then reveal your face and say: “Peek-a-boo!” Hold still and wait, watching your child for any reaction.”
0–11 months8 minQuiet timeFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
A lively voice, with ups and downs to…
“Face your child and say a short ‘bouncy hello’ with pitch changes: “Heeellooo your child!” Then pause and smile. Repeat once in a different pattern (slow, then quick). Keep volume soft.”
0–11 months6 minBath timeMealtime - Communication and LanguageVoice
Share stories, songs and rhymes from all cultures…
“Pick one short song, rhyme, or chant you know in your home language (or a song from your culture). Hold your child close so they can see your face. Sing one verse slowly. After the verse, pause and watch for any response—stilling, looking, smiling, cooing, or moving.”
0–11 months10 minQuiet timeRest - Communication and LanguageVoice
Share favourite stories as babies are settling to…
“Settle your child comfortably. Hold the book where your child can see it and say, “Story time,” in a calm, sing-song voice. Pause for a few seconds and watch for listening signals (stilling, looking, turning toward you, softening).”
0–11 months8 minQuiet timeNap - Communication and LanguageVoice
Times when you can sing with young babies,…
“Pick one familiar song (even just a chorus). Get face-to-face with your child and sing the first line softly. After the line, pause and smile as if waiting for your child’s turn.”
0–11 months10 minMusicFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
Sing songs and rhymes during everyday routines
“Choose your routine and get your child comfortable and able to see your face. Pick one tiny sing-song line you’ll repeat, like “wash, wash, wash” or “soft, soft towel.” Sing it the same way 3 times, with a 2–3 second pause after each one.”
0–11 months9 minSelf-careMealtime - Communication and LanguageVoice
Repeated sounds, and words and phrases so babies…
“Choose one easy repeated pattern like “ba-ba-ba” or “mmm-mmm”. Keep it short (about 2 seconds). Say it the same way three times, with a little pause between. Then stop and wait with an expectant face.”
0–11 months7 minQuiet timeFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
Photographs showing how young babies communicate
“Pick ONE photo with a clear face. Hold it about a hand’s length from your child. Say slowly: “Look… baby’s face.” Then pause for 3–5 seconds and watch your child’s eyes and body.”
0–11 months7 minQuiet timeFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
An environment which invites responses from babies and…
“Set your child in a safe, comfortable position (lying on a blanket, in your lap, or propped safely). Bring one object close and smile. Say, “Look…,” then pause. Watch for your child turning, looking, reaching, stilling, or smiling.”
0–11 months12 minFree playFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
Look at the baby and say their name.…
“Get face-to-face with your child. Say their name once in a warm, clear voice: “your child.” Then stop talking and wait 3–5 seconds. Repeat one more time: “your child,” then pause again.”
0–11 months7 minQuiet timeFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
Interpret and give meaning to the things young…
“Place the objects within view. Watch your child’s eyes and hands. The moment your child shows interest (stares, reaches, points, or pats), label it with one clear word: “spoon,” “cup,” or “teddy.” Then stop and pause for 3–5 seconds.”
0–11 months10 minFree playReading - Communication and LanguageVoice
To babies about what you are doing and…
“Pick a task (like preparing lunch). Choose just three actions you’ll narrate with one key word each—for example: “cut,” “stir,” “pour,” or “wipe.” Get your child where they can see your hands and face. Say: “Watch—cut,” then pause before you start.”
0–11 months11 minChore timeMealtime - Communication and LanguageVoice
Actions to support your words, e.g. waving when…
“Get face-to-face with your child. Wave slowly and say, “Hello!” Then stop and pause for a few seconds. Repeat once: wave + “Hello!” + pause.”
0–11 months8 minFamily timeSelf-care - Communication and LanguageVoice
Speak clearly. babies respond well to a higher…
“Get close so your child can see your face. Say a clear sing-song greeting: “Heeellooo your child!” Then pause and hold still for a few seconds. Repeat once with the same melody.”
0–11 months7 minMealtimeBath time - Communication and LanguageVoice
And repeat single words, so the baby can…
“Choose one word that matters today, like “cup,” “spoon,” “teddy,” or “cloth.” Hold the object where your child can see it and say the word once: “cup.” Pause for 3–5 seconds. Repeat: “cup,” pause again.”
0–11 months8 minFree playMealtime - Communication and LanguageVoice
Babies see and hear the sequence of actions…
“Before you start, get face-to-face and preview the routine in three tiny steps using your fingers: “First… (show one finger) then… (two) then… (three).” Keep it simple, like “wipe… nappy on… all done,” or “wash… dry… all done.” Pause and watch your child.”
0–11 months11 minSelf-careChore time - Communication and LanguageVoice
Resources that stimulate babies’ interests such as a…
“Start with the object you think your child will like most (bell OR book OR mirror). Hold it at your child’s eye level. Say: “Look!” and name it once (“bell” / “book” / “mirror”). Then pause for 3–5 seconds and watch where your child looks.”
0–11 months9 minQuiet timeFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
Lists of words from different home languages, and…
“Choose 3 everyday words you already use with your child, like “hello,” “cuddle,” “milk,” “more,” or “all done.” Write each word in one (or more) home languages. If spelling is tricky, write it how it sounds and ask a family member later. Say each word out loud once, slowly, with a smile, while your child is close enough to see your face.”
0–11 months10 minFamily timeReading - Communication and LanguageVoice
Young children to explore and imitate sound
“Get close and face-to-face. Make one simple sound like 'mmm' or 'ba-ba' (keep it slow). Then pause for 3–5 seconds and look at your child expectantly. Repeat the same sound twice more with a pause each time.”
8–20 months7 minMusicFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
About the different sounds they hear, such as…
“Open to a page with something that can make a sound (a vehicle, animal, or person). Point and say the word, then add the sound: “Tractor… chug chug!” or “Dog… woof woof!” Do it twice, then pause and look at your child as if it’s their turn.”
8–20 months10 minReadingStory time - Communication and LanguageVoice
Collect resources that children can listen to and…
“Take out one object and make its sound twice (for example, gently jingle keys: “jingle jingle”). Label it simply: “Keys—jingle jingle.” Pause for a few seconds and watch your child. Then put it back and do the same with a second object (for example, crinkle paper: “crunch crunch”).”
8–20 months12 minFree playFamily time - Communication and LanguageVoice
When you use nursery rhymes, help children understand…
“Choose ONE very familiar rhyme (for example: ‘Twinkle Twinkle’, ‘Row Row Row Your Boat’, or ‘Wind the Bobbin Up’). Pick 2–3 key words and attach actions (e.g., ‘twinkle’ = finger wiggle, ‘up’ = hands up, ‘boat’ = rocking teddy). Say the key word clearly and do the action every time it appears.”
8–20 monthsMusicFree play - Communication and LanguageVoice
That young children’s understanding is much greater than…
“Put two familiar objects in front of your child. Ask a simple choice: “Do you want the ball or the car?” Hold them still and WAIT 3–5 seconds. Accept any answer: reaching, looking, pointing, crawling toward one, or a sound. Name the choice: “You chose the ball!””
8–20 months8 minFree playFamily time