Your baby 6 to 9 months Development (From the baby’s point
of view) (December 2014)
Julia Mitchell-Hoffman E.C.E. Behaviorist
What Your Baby Can Do
• I am learning to think and solve problems.
• When a toy drops to the floor, I look to see where it went.
• I figure out how things work by copying what I see you and
others do.
What You Can Do
1. Comment on what your baby does to make things happen. You
used your voice to let me know you wanted me to keep playing peek-boo.
2. Let your baby explore interesting objects—like toys with
buttons to push.
What Your Baby Can Do
• I can control my body.
• I can pick up small objects using my thumb and other
fingers.
• I can sit on my own, which helps me explore in new ways.
• I may crawl or scoot to get around. I might even pull up
on furniture to stand.
What You Can Do
1. Begin letting your child practice picking up baby-safe
foods like slices of banana, if you’d like your child to learn to feed himself.
2. Give your baby time to move around on his own. This builds
muscle strength and coordination.
What Your Baby Can Do
• I am working hard to communicate with you.
• I babble a lot. When someone talks to me, I make sounds
back.
• I use my voice to express feelings, like joy and anger.
• I copy actions you make, like waving “bye-bye” and shaking
my head “no-no.”
What Can You Do
• Use words to describe your baby’s feelings: You are mad
that Daddy took away the crayon. You can chew on this rattle instead.
• If your baby is looking at something, point at it and explain:
That’s a radio. It plays music.
• Copy your baby’s sounds and actions. If she waves, wave
back and say Hello!
What Your Baby Can Do
• My personality is starting to show.
• I may love to meet new people or need time to feel
comfortable with someone I don’t know yet.
• I may like lots of sound and activity or I may prefer
things to be more quiet and calm.
• I may be very active or more interested in watching.
What You Can Do
1. Notice how your baby likes to play and explore. Does she
like to move or does she prefer to sit and watch the world around her?
2. See how your baby reacts to sounds, sights, and social
activity. What does she seem to enjoy? What does she seem to dislike or get
overwhelmed by?
