YOUR BABY WILL DEVELOP AT THEIR OWN PACE AND MAY TAKE LONGER THAN OTHER BABIES. USE OUR 6-9 MONTHS DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES BELOW TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT YOUR BABIES DEVELOPMENT
BETWEEN 6-9 MONTHS YOUR BABY SHOULD BE ABLE TO...
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Grasp objects using both hands
Roll from their back to their stomach
Sit up without support
Play with feet when laying on back
Get into crawling position and begin to crawl
Pick up a small toy with one hand and pass it to the other
Grasp objects and put them in their mouth
COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT
Hold hands up to be picked up
Copy simple sounds
Babble different sounds such as mum
Use increased variety of sounds and syllable combinations in babbling
Participate in two-way communication
Follow some routine commands when paired with gestures
Show recognition of commonly used words such as name
Uses simple gestures, such as shaking head for “no”
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
React and mimic other people’s behaviour
Act shy or anxious around strangers
Engages in social activities
Show likes and dislikes
Learn to protect themself and their belongings
Refuse to do some things, such as pushing spoon away during feeding time
Focus when doing something, ignoring surrounding distractions
Exert control such as showing a toy but wont give it up
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Transfer object easily from hand to hand
Play peek-a-boo
Watch objects as they fall
Use thumb and index finger to pick things up and turn pages in books
Look for objects that they saw be hidden
Gaze longer at “impossible” things such as objects suspended in mid-air
Tell the difference between pictures of different things
Understand sizes and distance of objects
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Begin mimicking behaviour, such as sticking out her tongue.
Show fear of strangers.
Exert control. For example, your baby may show you a toy but won’t give it to you.
Refuse to do some things. For example, push a spoon away during feeding time.
Focus when doing something, ignoring other things that are going on.
Look worried about loud noises, such as vacuum cleaners, loud stern voices or banging.
Show clear likes or dislikes for certain people, objects or places.
React to other people’s moods. If you are sad, your baby may cry. If you are happy, your baby may laugh along with you.
IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR CHILD IS NOT MEETING THE MILESTONES FOR THEIR AGE OR IF YOU THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH DEVELOPMENT, PLEASE SPEAK TO A DOCTOR. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR BABY, PLEASE SEEK SUPPORT
