Hello, Parents!
Welcome again. Time has passed and you are able to see big changes with your baby at this point in her development. You also may have new concerns or questions; about your parenting skills, about your child’s development, about routines, or about your child trying different foods and concerns about allergies. Reminder: It’s always okay to ask questions and talk to other parents.
What to Expect at 6 Months
- Your baby knows his name and may use his voice to let you know when he needs attention. The baby squeals and is beginning to babble to you and others. He may make sounds like “mama” or “dada.” He is also learning to respond to “bye-bye.”
- Your baby gets stronger every minute. She now holds her head up and looks around at everything that’s going on. She is learning to sit up, at first using her hands for balance.
- Your baby’s grasp has relaxed now. He likes to reach and grab nearby objects, holding and banging objects and even holding something in each hand!
- Your baby knows you very well now; the different tones of your voice will sometimes make her react with a smile or with tears knowing that you are happy or upset with her.
Activities to Help Your Baby Grow and Learn
- Crush ice into very small pieces that your baby can eat safely. Let them explore the cold ice as it squirms around in a bowl. The crushed ice and cool fingers will feel good on their gums and new little teeth.
- Fill a small container or tray with water and play with it together. As the baby touches the water, talk about how it feels using real words to promote language. “Oooh, the water is so cold.”
- Rock, walk, or dance and whisper sweet words in your baby’s ear. Whispering to your baby helps her to calm down and provides another way to talk in a quiet and loving voice.
- When your baby is awake and alert, turn off the television and other household sounds so that he can only hear your voice. This helps your baby hear the sounds of words more clearly or recognize other noises like the rain, the wind, or a bird. Ask the baby, “Can you hear the rain? Can you hear the bird?”
The ASQ (Ages & Stages Questionnaire) is a great, fun tool to help your child grow. The ASQ can also help you identify any areas where your baby may need some extra support to succeed. Remember, if you have any concerns about your child’s development there is no harm in reaching out.
Call 211 for more information.
Sources: ASQ-3 Learning Activities, Elizabeth Twombly and Ginger Fink