At 9 months your baby is an active, fast-growing bundle of energy. She is learning about the world, and you need to keep up with her increasing maturity. Check that her environment is a safe place as she becomes bigger, heavier and more mobile. Keep an eye on the new skills she is learning to make sure she meets the right developmental milestones. These show that she is progressing as she should. Play with her and enjoy her rapidly growing understanding of the world.
Identification
You baby will be showing rapid development in five main areas.
She will be getting more mobile. Whether she is crawling or shuffling, she is moving around. She will be interested in standing and may pull herself up by using the furniture to balance.
She is becoming dexterous with her hands, and enjoys eating with her fingers, messily exploring the feel of food items. She will love banging toys together.
As her cognitive abilities develop she may be able to find an object that you hide under a cushion or in a cup, and she knows you are there even when you move out of sight.
She understands when you say "no," and "bye-bye," and will love to babble sounds with you. She will produce long strings of nonsense words, copying the 'tune' of real speech.
She will enjoy playing with you and other people, and will be able to let you know by the sound of her voice when she is pleased or cross.
Features
Playing with your 9-month-old is rewarding as she shows a keen interest in the world and is ready to explore. She is able to track moving objects at a distance and is full of energy. According to The Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center, she needs stimulation in order to develop her mobility. You can encourage her to get mobile by rolling a ball just out of her reach. She will enjoy stretching and turning in different directions, and the activiy helps to improve her balance and strengthen her muscles.
Expert Insight
This age is a special time in the developing relationship you have with your child, according to the Better Health Channel. Her growing closeness with you means she becomes wary of others. She may cling tightly to you at times when she used to be happily cuddled by strangers.
She is beginning to understand that she is a separate person and will be fascinated to see herself in a mirror. This new awareness means that she will not always go along with things you suggest, and may start to show her independence by kicking and screaming. She may take a dislike to being put in her stroller or her high chair but will love to wave goodbye, clap her hands and bang saucepans noisily together.
Considerations
There is so much change and growth in a 9-month-old baby that two children the same age can vary in their abilities. One child may be standing steadily, holding on to furniture. Another baby of the same age may be crawling and showing less interest in standing, but is perhaps more vocal. She might even produce a first "momma," or "dada."
Sometimes, progress is slow, or a child may have a difficulty in one or another developmental area. Some warning signs to watch for are: not recognising family members, not sitting or moving around by any means, and showing no interest in new objects.
Prevention/Solution
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that you contact a health care professional if you suspect that your child is showing warning signs that her development is not progressing as it should.
You can see a developmental pediatrician and contact your local early intervention agency. Find out where to get help in your area through the National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities.
By recognising difficulties early, you can make sure your child has any help she may need.
References
- Early Childhood Learning and Knowledge Center: Physical Activities--Developmental Chapters
- Better Health Channel: Health and Medical Information
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: Developmental Screening Fact Sheet
- National Dissemination Center for Children with Disabilities: Services in Your State
