After you have cleaned her, changed her, fed her, burped her and cleaned her again, you actually get to play with your baby! This is the fun part and one of the most important parts of her day. Children learn through play. At 9 months, your baby is beginning to find her way around a room. She is becoming an active problem solver and interested in interacting with you. In addition to an endless amount of TLC, there are several toys that will help your little one grow and learn.
Push Toys
Now that your 9-month-old is experimenting with walking, toys to help him master this new skill are vital. A classic toy for novice walkers is a push toy. BabyCenter recommends one that is heavily weighted to support your baby if he leans into it. Push toys, also called walkers, help baby navigate all through the house, so be sure staircases are blocked and doorways into prohibited rooms are closed. Many walkers feature colorful toys and musical bells. Some transform into ride-on toys for added learning and fun.
Books
A love of reading is one of the best gifts you can give your child. Books are wonderful toys for 9-month-old children. HealthyChildren recommends reading to your child every day, a habit will encourage your baby learn. Board and cloth books are especially practical for this age group. Chewing on books and feeling different textures help children develop their senses and learn about the world around them.
Activity Boxes
Babies need practice using their fingers. Activity boxes featuring a variety of toys teach your child cause and effect and provide sensory development, according to Essortment. Brightly colored activity centers with lots of big parts are best. Busy babies have a blast opening doors, manipulating shapes, peeking into mirrors and pulling gadgets. A good activity center will include all of these activities. Also try to find one that's soft to the touch. Babies like to cuddle their toys.
Items Around the House
Some of the best toys are the simplest. A paper towel roll can provide endless entertainment as your 9-month-old watches it roll back and forth and then figures out how to make it roll. Pictures in magazines and brightly colored advertisements are great ways for kids to learn about the world around them. Sit with your child and thumb through the pages of a parenting magazine. You're sure to learn a few tips and your child will love looking at the pictures. Nine-month-old babies love to stack and build. If you have plastic storage containers, let your tot play with them. This activity helps develop fine motor skills. Simply playing with the different containers helps develop spatial orientation and coordination and provides hours of entertainment.
