6 to 9 Months

6 months baby knows how to reach his favorite toy by rolling. But, he is not settled with just playing with one toy. He wants to explore his surroundings with a broader view. His neck, upper body, back muscles, legs and arms are getting robust day by day. Real fun is in to check out all the toys with both the hands. That comes when the baby is able to sit without supporting his body with own hands. You can see your baby approaching this milestone as early as 6 months or as late as 9 months.

Crawling milestone comes soon after the baby becomes pro in coming to sitting position on her own. Gradually, baby will realize his potential of going back and forth on his tummy with straight limbs first, then discovers the required push with his knees to get moving. Initially baby will need you to put him back to the sitting position when he is tired practicing his crawling skills. Later, baby becomes independent enough to change positions. You can expect the baby coming to a standing position holding on to something by 9 months. Baby is quite vocal now with his long babbles.

Your sharp baby will surprise you when he points to his favorite animal when you call its name. All babies develop at a different pace. The more opportunities, you give to a baby for free play in a safe room, the better are the chances to find that perfect Kodak moment earlier in infant’s life.

Physical growth / Movement

• Stands holding a table, bed or parent’s hand

• Sits independently without support

• Can move from sleeping position to sitting position without help

• Pulls from sitting to standing position with help

• Goes to crawling position from sitting

• Crawls

• May walk holding the furniture or in walker

• Can play passing the ball

• Can pick up small things between thumb and index fingers

Social / Emotional skills

• May be afraid or uncomfortable in presence of strangers

• May cling to parents and caregivers

• Has favorite toys

• Mimic actions done by others

Vocal / Communication skills

• Able to understand simple verbal instructions like “no”

• Joins vowels and consonants together to make different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”

• Imitate sounds and gestures of others

• Point to the toy or things he needs

Cognitive (learning, thinking and problem-solving) skills

• Likes to try different textures of food

• Observes the falling things closely

• Try to find the hidden things

• Plays peek-a-boo

• Can eat on her own using his fingers

• Can point to the correct picture when the image is called by its name