9 MONTHS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT


Acting Intelligently

Naturally, you think your baby is a genius. Every new parent does. But until now, your smart little cookie didn't have what the experts call intelligence, meaning the ability to solve a problem by figuring out an effective response to a new situation.
Watch your nine-month-old when he encounters a problem. For example, what does he do when you "disappear" behind an obstacle such as a couch? He wants to play with you, but the couch blocks his path. A few months ago, he could only cry. This month, clues like the sound of your voice help him find a solution. He crawls around the couch and smiles triumphantly.

"Mama" and "Dada"

As far as babies are concerned, "baby talk" is serious business. That's part of why it's so funny to be parents. Your baby may be babbling, but he seems to think he's making perfect sense.
Your baby has been mimicking adult speech patterns for weeks, combining vowel sounds (ah, uh) and consonant sounds (da, na). This month he will start making more combinations that sound like words ("mama," "dada"). Eventually he'll make a connection between the words and the objects they refer to.

Gaining Control over Relationships

A nine-month-old is worlds away from a six-month-old, both socially and emotionally. Your baby will rely on his advanced motor and cognitive skills this month to get the attention he craves. He'll reach out his arms and demand to be held. Insist on sharing your food. Crawl happily toward you when you walk in the door.

Your baby has a new feeling of control over his relationships and interactions. Sometimes this makes life difficult for Mom and Dad. Why sit still for a diaper change when playing is so much more fun?

She is on the go and the world is hers for the taking. As she learns to move on her own, she will enjoy her freedom but will need your help.

Set up some bedtime, bath time and feedings routines with your baby. It will help her start to know what will happen next and help her develop her feelings of security and comfort.

If you haven't been using gestures with your baby, like shaking your head yes or no, and waving bye-bye, now's a good time to start. Soon, she might start using this "sign language" with you.

Build a large pile of blanket steps, or a mound of pillows for her to crawl on. Encourage and applaud her explorations, as exploring promotes cognitive development.
Give your baby a squeaky toy and show her how it works. Give lots of praise and kisses when she makes it squeak.

Play finger games with your baby like "Itsy Bitsy Spider" and "Jack and Jill went up the hill," walking your fingers up her arm as you recite the rhymes.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 30, 2007 at 11:10 PM. You can skip to the end and leave a response.