Find activities, milestones, and games based on baby’s date of birth
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(Remember to adjust for prematurity)
Activities at Week 42
- Chore Time: Don’t stop interacting with baby just for chores! When doing chores around the house, point to objects and tell baby what you’re doing. Direct baby’s attention to objects by helping them point their finger. Helps baby learn to focus their attention.
- Ball Chase: Encourage baby to crawl around inside house. Roll a soft ball across the room. Tell baby they should go for the “ball” and use the words, “Ready, set, go.” Helps baby use crawling to build core strength and develop listening skills.
- Shapes, Sizes, and More: Name textures, shapes, and sizes to help baby attach words to objects and experiences. Say things like “look at this big red ball” or “this stuffed animal is really soft.” Helps baby develop language skills.
- Stand and Reach: Let baby stand next to or behind a soft chair or piece of small furniture they can hold for support and encourage them to reach to one side for a toy. Then put the toy on the other side and they can reach with the other arm. Helps baby learn to shift their weight to prepare for walking.
It’s Important to Remember:
The activities listed over these next few months are designed to help your baby as they move towards the following twelve month milestones.
If you are concerned that your baby isn’t meeting these milestones by twelve months, trust your instincts and talk to your healthcare professional.
Milestones
10-12 Month Motor Milestones
Motor Milestones
- Pulls to stand and cruises along furniture
- Stands alone and takes several independent steps
- Moves in and out of various positions to explore environment and get desired toys
- Maintains balance in sitting when throwing objects
- Claps hands
- Releases objects into a container with a large opening
- Uses thumb and pointer finger to pick up tiny objects
10-12 Month Sensory Milestones
Sensory Milestones
- Enjoys listening to songs
- Explores toys with fingers and mouth
- Crawls to or away from objects baby sees in the distance
10-12 Month Communication Milestones
Communication Milestones
- Meaningfully uses “mama” or “dada”
- Responds to simple directions, e.g. “Come here”
- Produces long strings of gibberish (jargoning) in social communication
- Says one or two words
- Imitates speech sounds
- Babbling has sounds and rhythms of speech
- Pays attention to where you are looking and pointing
- Responds to “no”
- Begins using hand movements to communicate wants and needs, e.g. reaches to be picked up
10-12 Month Feeding Milestones
Feeding Milestones
- Finger feeds self
- Eating an increasing variety of food
- Begins to use an open cup
- Ready to try soft-cooked vegetables, soft fruits, and finger foods (banana slices, cooked pasta)
- Might be ready to start self feeding with utensils
- Enjoys a greater variety of smells and tastes