Milestones of Development 9 Months
This is what you as a parent can do to make your child smarter.
| Area of Development | Skill Level | Play Activity |
| Hands | Approaches with index finger | Use egg carton, objects with holes |
| Hands | Begins to release, not just drop | Use pots and pans, spoons and cups |
| Hands | Feeds self cracker, Cheerios | Put cracker on tray |
| Hands | Hits toy with hand; “swipes” | Use oatmeal boy drum; spoons |
| Hands | Picks up small-sized objects with finger-thumb opposites | Offer margarine dishes with lids |
| Hands | Secures toy by string if string contacts hand | Use embroidery hoop and string |
| Hands | Secures toy by string if string contacts hand | Place objects on ribbons, expanding cords, etc. |
| Hands | Unwraps block | Hide block under cloth or screen |
| Hands | Uses 2nd and 3rd finger with thumb | Have baby put chips in slot with supervision |
| Hands | Uses bi- and unilateral hand approach | Offer larger toys for bilateral approach |
| Hands | Uses bi- and unilateral hand approach | Offer small toys for unilateral approach |
| Hands | Uses groping, swiping, and clawing grasps | Offer chunks of finger snacks |
| Hands | Uses open hand, palm down | Show baby how to pick up cube blocks |
| Hands | Uses pincer grasp; tips of fingers used | Let baby eat finger snacks |
| Hands | Uses pincer grasp; tips of fingers used | Offer small object to pick up and play with |
| Hands | Uses pincer grasp; tips of fingers used | Use checkers and slot containers |
| Hands | Uses pincer grasp; tips of fingers used | Use toys with buttons to push |
| Hands | Uses scissor grasp | Teach baby to “shake hands” |
| Hands | Uses whole hand grasp, bilaterality continues | Roll ball to baby |
| Body | Protective extension of arms sideways | Put toys on tray next to baby |
| Locomotion | Creeps forward on abdomen, arms pull with full extension | Put toys under a table to “hide” |
| Locomotion | Goes from sitting to prone | Put pillows on floor to crawl over |
| Locomotion | Pulls self to standing | Play “Here We Go Walking” |
| Locomotion | Rocks on all fours | Play “Row, Row” |
| Locomotion | Stands holding furniture | Play “Stand and Clap” |
| Locomotion | Stands without leaning | Arrange chairs so baby can “cruise” |
| Locomotion | Takes full weight | Hold hands, jump up and down |
| Posture | Does not like supine, rolls over or sits up | Let baby change his own position |
| Posture | Pulls self to sitting alone | Feed baby on your lap occasionally |
| Posture | Sits steadily with little overbalancing | Sit baby at a table with table toys |
| Sitting | Goes from sitting to prone alone | Let baby experiment with changes |
| Speech | Active response to verbal requests | Ask baby clear questions, wait for response |
| Speech | Basic comprehension of meaningful gestures and tone patterns ? | Use games like “So Big”, “Miss Polly”, “Peek-a-Boo” |
| Speech | Basic comprehension of meaningful gestures and tone patterns ? | Use gestures and proper tones when conversing with baby |
| Speech | Comprehends no-no, hot | Label hot items; feel very warm container, ? |
| Speech | Comprehends no-no, hot | Label “no” actions firmly and only in dangerous situations |
| Speech | Copies melody pattern of familiar phrases | Sing nursery rhymes, known songs |
| Speech | Echoes sounds: “da” | Make word out of sounds |
| Speech | Echolalia | Say words in musical patterns for baby to imitate |
| Speech | Enjoys making lip noises | Play games face to face with lip noises, smacking lips |
| Speech | Enjoys making lip noises | Use video of facial play |
| Speech | Facial and arm gestures accompany vocalizations | Clap and sing to baby |
| Speech | Makes needs known through pointing | Point and name objects and pictures |
| Speech | Makes needs known through pointing | Show baby how to point finger |
| Speech | Pays attention to many sights and sounds at distance | Make animal sounds |
| Speech | Tries variety of pitches | Imitate baby’s pitch |
| Speech | Vowels more like speech sounds | Make words out of sounds |
| Speech | Waves bye-bye, imitates pat-a-cake | Imitate baby’s actions |
| Perceptual | Feeds self eagerly | Let baby feed self some food |
| Perceptual | Holds bottle; throws bottle | Let baby have bottle after food |
| Tactile | Dangles toys by string deliberately | Let baby alone when she loses toy |
| Tactile | Uses index finger for communication and touch | Imitate pointing gesture |
| Visual | Can single out a small detail for attention and inspection | In child’s presence leave small items to pick up |
| Visual | Can single out a small detail for attention and inspection | Point out details often in environment and pictures |
| Visual | Extends toys to familiar people | Say “Thank you”, give back toy |
| Visual | Looks at hidden object, does not pursue | Hide big colorful objects |
| Visual | Singles out a detail for attention | Give baby puppets, dolls, animals |
| Visual | Tracks balls and moving objects | Use moving toys on wheels |
| Visual | Uses facial expressions to show fear | Look away, let baby alone |
| Feeding | Self-feeding with spoon may begin | Give baby spoon while you use another one |
| Social | Able to play by self for hour or more | Ignore first whine or whisper |
| Social | Able to play by self for hour or more | Provide safe environment |
| Social | Clinging fear of strangers | Give physical cuddling when fear is shown |
| Social | Egocentric; world and self-confused | Keep baby on regular routine |
| Social | Hand held objects are a part of self | Tell baby “object is in your hand” |
| Social | Imitates gestures, facial expressions, sounds | Imitate back to baby |
| Social | Knows own name; responds to name | Use child’s name; use other names |
| Social | Like to have people around | Sing, dance, rough house |
| Social | Performs “tricks” like pat-a-cake | Sit baby on lap and play close together |
| Social | Plays tricks if shown; shows humor | Laugh when baby “shows off” |
| Social | Plays with toy in different way if shown | Give baby one toy, you take another |
| Social | Smiles at mirror image | Use mirror play in crib and with caregiver |
| Social | Stares | Use picture file and observe child’s recognition |
| Social | Timid when greeted by a stranger | Hold baby up against shoulder |
| Social | Understands “no-no” | Say “no” firmly; say “thank you” |
| Social | Waves “bye-bye” imitatively | Say “bye-bye”; demonstrate |
