Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play (6-12 Months)

What is my baby learning to do ?
Sit without support

Crawl on hands and knees and pull to stand

Take steps holding onto furniture and walk with one hand held

Pick up and throw small objects

Hold a spoon or cup and attempt to self feed or drink

Be scared of strangers or objects

Look for objects that have fallen and find a hidden object

Repeat sounds and gestures

Respond to own name being called

Say words like "dada" or "mama"

Wave goodbye

How can I make the most of this time ?
Love
Your child may change from being friendly with everyone to wanting to cling to you and being scared of strangers.

This is normal. Stay calm; provide comfort and reassurance for your child. If you are leaving your baby for a while, say goodbye and let him/her know that you will be back.

Your child may also start to play briefly on his/her own, but he/she still needs you close by.

Face your child so that he/she can watch your expressions to learn about them.

Talk, Sing, Read
Use meal times for the family to talk. Encourage your child to hold food, cups, spoons, etc.

Name things as you use them and tell your children what is going on, such as, "You're eating yummy rice!" Give him/her time to respond.

When your baby makes a sound, imitate it and continue with this back and forth, like a conversation.

Night time routines can include looking at books together. You can point to pictures in board books and name the things you see.

You can show your baby small plastic photo albums of family and friends and help your baby to touch the pictures.

Sing, play songs and nursery rhymes throughout the day.

Play
Play games that have songs and actions together or involve turn taking. Play games like "peek-a-boo", clapping hands or dropping toys into a bucket. Hide toys under a bowl and let your baby find them.

He/She will also start to use toys in more complex ways, such as pouring water with a cup or throwing food on the floor (he/she is learning new important skills, not trying to be naughty).

Provide safe toys for bath time play - containers, rubber toys, plastic books.

Your baby is developing his/her motor skills, such as getting a ball that rolled away.

You can find out about joining a playgroup, a library and toy library near you.

Seek further advice if your baby :
Isn't responsive to carers
Isn't babbling and making different sounds
Isn't beginning to sit, crawl or pull to stand
Isn't playing with feet or swapping objects between hands
Isn't interested in holding toys
Isn't learning to eat solid.

Source : Blackmore, R & Garlick, L (2009) Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play, Families NSW