By the time your baby reaches nine months, she’s probably become quite a little person. Social skills become more obvious, and her personality is really starting to bloom. By nine months, most babies are crawling and starting to stand alone, so much of your time is likely spent chasing her down. In the ninety-ish days between nine months and her first birthday, you’ll be amazed at how much she’s learning -- and how quickly! Here’s a look at what to expect from your almost one-year-old’s motor skills.
Mobility
By nine months, many babies are crawling fast, and some may be getting ready to walk. If you haven’t already, it is definitely time to baby proof your house to prevent potentially dangerous accidents. Luckily, he should be learning what the word “no” means...unfortunately, he may not realize he has to listen. Instead of tempting fate, move breakables, choking hazards, electric cords, household cleaners, medications, and anything else well out of reach.
Gross Motor Skills
Gross motor skills are the large muscle movements, like crawling and climbing. At this age, your baby is developing her arm strength by pulling herself up, and her leg strength is increasing as she stands up and bounces in place. Moving from a crawling to a sitting position should be easy, and crawling is improving hand-over-hand skills. She’s also learning how to sit without support and balance herself.
Your baby may be crawling as early as six months. By nine months, she should be ready to investigate everything, which means she’s probably trying to stand up. She may pull herself up on furniture or your knee. She may also be able to stand without support, use couches and tables to make a wobbling standing circuit of the room, walk using your hands for support, or even start walking all on her own!
Fine Motor Skills
Baby should also be figuring out how to grasp and release. He should be learning how to pinch small objects (like peas or cheerios) between thumb and forefinger -- just remember whatever he’s pinching is probably going straight into his mouth, so keep those floors clear of choking hazards. As he starts getting good at grasping and picking things up on purpose, encourage self-feeding and introduce sippy cups (start with water). Other fine motor skills to master between nine and twelve months include:
- Picking food or objects up and putting them into his mouth
- Swapping objects from hand to hand
- Pointing to desired items (a toy or bottle)
- Pick up a toy and release it intentionally
- Pick up small items and drop into a wide-mouthed receptacle (i.e. cheerios into a bottle)
- Knock objects together
- Help put his own clothes on (i.e., pushing his arm through a sleeve)
- Hold own spoon and bottle
- Wave
Encourage these new skills with games like peek-a-boo, stacking blocks, or nesting bowls.
When to Be Concerned
By twelve months, warning signs of motor development concerns might be: if your baby does not hold things on his own, crawling, feed herself finger foods, intentionally release items, bang toys together, or put things into a container. Other warning signs also include if your baby keeps her fists clenched or seem shaky or stiff in her movements. Every child learns differently, but if you are concerned about your child’s development, talk to your pediatrician.
