Developmental Milestone: 9 Months
It’s time for developmental screening!
At 9 months, your child is due for general developmental screening, as recommended for all children by the American Academy of Pediatrics. Ask the doctor about your child’s developmental screening.
What Most Babies Do by this Age:
Social/Emotional:
May be afraid of strangers
May be clingy with familiar adults
Has favorite toys
Language/Communication:
Understands “no”
Makes a lot of different sounds like “mamamama” and “bababababa”
Copies sounds and gestures of others
Uses fingers to point at things
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving):
Watches the path of something as it falls
Looks for things he sees you hide
Plays peek-a-boo
'Puts things in her mouth
Moves things smoothly from one hand to the other
Picks up things like cereal o’s between thumb and index finger
Movement/Physical Development:
Stands, holding on
Can get into sitting position
Sits without support
Pulls to stand
Crawls
What You Can Do for Your 9-Month-Old:
Pay attention to the way he reacts to new situations and people; try to continue to do things that make your baby happy and comfortable.
As she moves around more, stay close so she knows that you are near.
Continue with routines; they are especially important now.
Play games with “my turn, your turn.”
Say what you think your baby is feeling. For example, say, “You are so sad, let’s see if we can make you feel better.”
Describe what your baby is looking at; for example, “red, round ball.”
Talk about what your baby wants when he points at something.
Copy your baby’s sounds and words.
Ask for behaviors that you want. For example, instead of saying “don’t stand,” say “time to sit.”
Teach cause-and-effect by rolling balls back and forth, pushing toy cars and trucks, and putting blocks in and out of a container.
Play peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek.
Read and talk to your baby.
Provide lots of room for your baby to move and explore in a safe area.
Put your baby close to things that she can pull up on safely.