Cian loves our dog coming to lie next to him. He babbles away to her, then pauses and stares intently, waiting for a response.

SAFETY: Cian is our third baby and Pilli has proved herself trustworthy with babies and children. Even so, I never leave them together without supervision.

Resources

  • A trusted dog (under supervision)
  • Blanket

Method

Look at the joy Pilli brings!

He tries to throw his toy for her, but hasn’t figured out how to let go!

Pils is the most patient dog and has put up regularly being dressed as Yoda and with being ridden by Sir Ioan, a knight on his noble steed. She also didn’t bat an eyelid when Finn, playing vets, lifted her tail, thankfully she narrowly missed him giving her a rectal thermometer when I spotted him just in time.

At the moment she is putting up with Cian’s fascination with her tail, and the fact he finds her cleaning her paws hilarious.

DfES Outcomes for EYFS (2013)

Communication and language

Listening and attention (Birth to 11 months)

• Turns towards a familiar sound then locates range of sounds with accuracy.

• Listens to, distinguishes and responds to intonations and sounds of voices.

• Reacts in interaction with others by smiling, looking and moving.

• Quietens or alerts to the sound of speech.

Speaking

Speaking (Birth to 11 months)

• Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.

• Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.

Speaking

Speaking (Birth to 11 months)

• Makes own sounds in response when talked to by familiar adults.

• Practises and gradually develops speech sounds (babbling) to communicate with adults; says sounds like ‘baba, nono, gogo’.

Physical development

Moving and handling (Birth to 11 months)

• Turns head in response to sounds and sights.

• Gradually develops ability to hold up own head.

• Makes movements with arms and legs which gradually become more controlled.

• Rolls over from front to back, from back to front.

• When lying on tummy becomes able to lift first head and then chest, supporting self with forearms and then straight arms.

  • Watches and explores hands and feet, e.g. when lying on back lifts legs into vertical position and grasps feet.

• Reaches out for, touches and begins to hold objects.

• Explores objects with mouth, often picking up an object and holding it to the mouth.

Personal, social and emotional development

Self-confidence and self-awareness (Birth to 11 months)

• Laughs and gurgles, e.g. shows pleasure at being tickled and other physical interactions.

• Uses voice, gesture, eye contact and facial expression to make contact with people and keep their attention.

Managing feelings and behaviour (Birth to 11 months)

  • Shows a range of emotions such as pleasure, fear and excitement.

Making relationships (Birth to 11 months)

• Enjoys the company of others and seeks contact with others from birth.

• Responds when talked to, for example, moves arms and legs, changes facial expression, moves body and makes mouth movements.

• Recognises and is most responsive to main carer’s voice: face brightens, activity increases when familiar carer appears.