Play and communication with 6-9 month old babies

DID YOU KNOW?

• Babies experiment with cause-and-effect relationships.

• Babies experiment with how objects fall, how to make a noise, or how their arms and legs exert resistance and force.

• Babies enjoy making noises by hitting or banging with a cup or other object. This may be frustrating for busy mothers and fathers, but it is important to be patient, as the child is learning through this play.

• Even before children say words, they learn from what is being said to them, and can understand a lot.

• Babies notice when people express strong anger, and may be upset by it.

• Babies copy the sounds and actions of others.

• Babies like other people to respond to the sounds they are making and to show an interest in the new things they notice.

• A baby can recognize her/his name before being able to say it. Hearing her/his name helps the child know that she/he is a special person in the family.