| While your baby’s eighth month is filled with new | | | | he’s knocked over, but let this play continue. Now |
| expressions and actions, the ninth month is filled with | | | | that he knows things fall over when he drops them, he |
| self-discovery. Junior is probably learning a lot by | | | | may look for them on the ground. For example, if he |
| now, even if it doesn’t seem like it to you. When | | | | pushes the spoon off of the table, he’ll look for it on |
| he drops items off of ledges or pushes them off of | | | | the floor. This shows that he’s learned what |
| the table, he’s learning about gravity. He’ll | | | | gravity does. So, even though picking things up |
| catch on that all things fall down. When he babbles, | | | | isn’t fun for you, it’s a great game for him. |
| he’s learning to speak. Children have to perfect | | | | Mirrors will be particularly fun during this time period. |
| syllables before they can put words together. And if | | | | Since your child has started identifying objects, like the |
| he seems anxious when you leave the room, that’s | | | | spoon, he’s at the point where he can start |
| because he’s learning to develop social | | | | identifying himself. He will start to recognize that |
| attachments. That’s the biggest milestone of all. | | | | he’s looking at himself in a mirror. This revelation |
| Junior should really start interacting with objects now | | | | is huge for a child. Let your baby play with the mirror |
| that he’s learning these things. For instance, during | | | | – with your supervision, of course – so he can |
| feedings, he may reach for the spoon. By now, | | | | really figure things out. |
| he’s associated the spoon with food, and he | | | | The final big development in month nine is your |
| knows it goes into his mouth – something he is | | | | child’s ability to sit up. By the end of this month, he |
| skilled at accomplishing. This gives you ways to | | | | should be able to roll over completely and push himself |
| interact with him during feedings, too. Talk with your | | | | into a sitting position, even if he starts out on his |
| child and bond during feedings. Let him help feed | | | | stomach. Enjoy this lull while you can. He’s not |
| himself; don’t make him do all of the work, though. | | | | walking yet, but this is a sign that he’ll be starting to |
| All of these things will help him grow. | | | | soon. |
| By now, you are probably sick of picking up things | | | | |