| Your Baby… | You Can… |
|---|
| Is beginning to learn that things continue to exist, even when she doesn’t see them. This is called “object permanence.” | Play hide-and-seek games that will help her master new discoveries. After you show her the ball, hide it behind the couch and encourage her to hunt for it. Talk to her when you move out of her sight so she knows you are near. This will reduce her anxiety and may help her play alone for a few minutes. Be patient! Babies often become very persistent as they develop “object permanence.” They remember the toy they had yesterday and they want exactly the same thing now! |
| Is developing physical independence, but may become more emotionally dependent on you. | Use positive language – with your words and body – when saying goodbye. Children take their cues from you. So, with a smile, tell her that you will really miss each other, but that she is going to have so much fun with her caregiver. And when you come back, like you always do, you’ll read your favorite book together! Give her a picture of you. Make an audio tape of yourself singing songs or reading a special book. |
| Is becoming independent as she uses her body to move away from you – creeping, crawling or even taking baby steps. | Offer her a “safe base,” by staying put while she explores. She needs to know you’ll still be there when she decides she’s gone far enough. This sense of security helps her feel safe to venture out again. Recognize her need to practice new skills. If she refuses to lie down for diaper changes, you can say “you don’t want to lie down now that you can stand all by yourself! Okay, we’ll do this together. You hold the diaper while I fasten it.” |
| Understands more than she can say and can even follow simple commands such as “Go get your ball.” | Put her actions into words and build on them. “You’re holding bear. Does he want a drink?” and hold out a cup. Use motions to help her understand. Ask, “Where are your shoes?” as you point to them. |
| Is starting to put two syllable sounds together like choo-choo and bye-bye. She also listens and tries to copy sounds she hears. | Speak clearly and often. Listen carefully and copy what she says. When you hear sounds that make real words, like ma-ma and da-da, cheer and encourage her to use them again. Point to a person or object they describe. |
| Is learning how to get along with others. | Play back-and-forth games. Roll a ball to your baby and encourage her to roll it back. These games promote her social development and lead to the back and forth of making conversations. Try to arrange play dates with other babies near her age. |
| Likes books with big, colorful pictures of things she knows about, like clothes, food, animals and babies. | Buy or borrow sturdy board books with simple pictures and short phrases. Or make your own books out of cardboard and cut-outs of familiar objects. Find time every day for sharing books together – even if you have to read aloud while your active baby explores the world around you! |