Playing with 9-12 month olds

9-12 months
Your baby is now more social, playful, expressive, and mobile. During these three months they may start to say mom, dad, and show affection towards parents. Their motor skill start improving and some are able to walk along furniture.

GET THE RHYTHM

• Begin with simple clapping patterns using various body parts. Wait to see if your baby copies your movements. If not, take her hands and repeat the pattern.
• After you do it a few times, let baby try it alone. Once she gets the pattern down, try changing the tempo-slower, then faster.

*This game can help practice baby motor planning, pattern recognition, and turn taking

ROUND AND UP

• Encourage your baby to copy your movements as you sing "The Wheels on the Bus."
• Hold your arms out parallel to the ground. Move them in big circles and sing, "The wheels on the bus go 'round and 'round, 'round and 'round, 'round and 'round....
• Raise your arms above your head and move them up and down, while singing, "The people on the bus go um and down..." and so on
  

*This game will help build up your baby's motor movement and muscle control
GOAL!

• Before starting to play, clear some space in a room and set up a goal at one end using two large toys or chairs as markers
• Now the game's on: hold your baby under her arms, gently lift her, and swing her legs toward the ball for a kick
• Follow the ball wherever it lands, holding baby as you run and swinging her to kick the ball again
• Swerve this way and that as you head toward the ball, and help baby kick until she gets the ball into the goal. Cheer her on the points scored!

*Your baby will get a kick out of this game and it will help boost body awareness and positioning.

GROW HAPPY!

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