Expectations and Activities For Your Baby at 9-11 Months Old.

From about 9 to 11 months your baby will go from sitting to crawling to pulling up on furniture. Your baby will begin to demonstrate improved control of the use of her hands as observed in her toy manipulation skill.  She will be observed banging blocks together and taking things in and out of containers. Your baby will begin to self feed finger foods. Your baby’s attention span will increase. She’ll enjoy babbling and try to engage with you socially with games such as "peek-a-boo".  Your baby will begin actively exploring and experimenting with items in her environment. She will learn to understand words such as "no" and "by, by". Your baby will be able to remove her socks and should become cooperative with dressing.

During this stage provide many opportunities for floor time play.  Your babies main interest will be movement. Give your baby containers with objects he can spill and then refill. Offer your baby cause and effect toys. Toys that he can activate with a switch or a hand movement. Hide toys for your baby to find such as under a blanket or cup. Encourage hand clapping and waving "by, by". Your baby will enjoy songs with associated hand movements such as "eensy-beensy-spider".  Keep talking to your baby.  Respond to his sounds with conversation. Read to your baby. Provide varied kinds of music for your baby to listen to at times.  Encourage finger feeding and provide utensils for your baby to get used to holding. Provide movement opportunities for your baby such as the swing in the park.