Understands simple words, listens to adult conversation
Begins to make 2-syllable sounds (ma, ba, goo) and may use longer, repeated babbling (dadadada)
Fine Motor Skills
Claps hands together
Bangs object on table
Transfers object hand to hand
Feeds self finger foods
Gross Motor Skills
Crawls forward/backward
Makes stepping movements when supported
Sits without support for several minutes
Pulls to stand, but can be hard to get back down
Stands up when leaning against something
Personal Social Skills
Recognizes familiar faces and begins to know if someone is a stranger
Likes to play with others, especially parents
Responds to others’ emotions
Likes to look at self in mirror
May get upset when you leave even for a short time, but is relieved when you return
May show frustration if a toy rolls away and cannot see it
Problem Solving Skills
Looks around at things nearby
Explores objects by putting in mouth
Watches the path of something as it falls
Looks for things that they see you hide
Shows understanding of “in” and “out”
Activities
Communication Activities
Imitate the sounds your baby makes
Make different faces with baby
Sing to your baby and play music
Play social games (pat-a-cake and peek-a-boo)
Talk to baby throughout the day, describe things you are doing
Fine Motor Activities
Offer your baby a rattle to hold
Let your baby feel many different textures
Offer small bits of food or small objects to pick up to develop pincer grasp
Gross Motor Activities
Allow for floor time play several times a day
While on the floor, provide toys out of reach to encourage your baby to crawl
Hold baby in a standing position, encourage bouncing up and down and stepping motions
Encourage your baby to pull to stand in crib and later on a heavy piece of furniture
When standing, hold a toy just out of reach to encourage your baby to walk along crib or furniture to get the toy
Personal Social and Problem Solving Activities
Allow baby to see self and touch mirror, use baby’s name and identify body parts
Give baby a pile of different textured clothing to explore
During play, offer objects from baby’s side to encourage reaching across body
Use real pictures of familiar people and places to make homemade books, place in taped Ziploc bags, talk about these pictures
Show baby how to put objects in and dump out of containers, use objects such as clothes pins and small toys, but avoid objects that are too small that your baby can choke on
