Motor Skills: Sits unsupported (and strapped in!) highchair Rolls over from tummy to back and back to tummy (may always roll same direction) Pulls self to stand, stands leaning on objects Scoots on belly, crawls by nine months
Fine Motor Skills: Pincer grasp develops (thumb and forefinger) Feeds self but not neatly Interested in gravity (drops toys then watches them fall, looks for them) Drinks from sippy cup (still needs practice tilting up to get drink) Manipulates toys well Distance and color vision is now mature
Social/Verbal Skills: Makes random consonant-vowel sounds and strings together (ah, ma, ah-ba) Responds to name Uses body language to obtain goal (reaches for wanted objects or to be picked up) Imitates facial expressions
Cognitive Skills: Begins to plan out play as starts to study toys (may attempt stacking/nesting toys) Attaches mental image with spoken word (you call the dog, child looks for dog) Separation/stranger anxiety sets in
How to Please This Age Group: Breastfeeding Walking/being carried in arms or
sling (try hip carry once baby can sit well) Block play Banging toys together Rolling on large balls Patty-Cake, This Little Piggy, other rhyming games Bubbles Picking up small items as pincer grasp develops Finding partially hidden objects
Various Warning Signs/Contact your pediatrician if your baby: Retains Tonic Neck reflex (head turns to one side, arm on same side straightens, other arm bent) at 7 months Muscles, limbs appear extremely stiff or loose Doesn't control head when pulled to sit Can not sit even with assistance at six months Does not laugh or squeal at six months Does not reach for objects or uses only one hand to reach/grab by seven months Bears no weight on legs by seven months No babbling at eight months Shows no interest in games such as Peek-a-Boo at eight months Extremely resistant to cuddling; shows no affection to caregiver Gains no enjoyment being around others Continual drainage or tearing from the eyes Difficulty with hand-to-mouth coordination
