Development Tips: 7 to 9 Months

Sit behind your child and support him on 2 sides; over a period of weeks gradually decrease the amount of support until he can sit by himself.
Encourage your child to roll from back to stomach using toys and necessary prompts.
Demonstrate holding and banging 2 small objects together.
Encourage your child to manipulate toys at midline by modeling and by presenting them at midline.
Place edibles in front of your child and encourage her to poke at them and pick them up.
Introduce items such as whipped cream or pudding on a table top or high chair tray. Allow your child to dip his hands in and make a variety of marks.
Encourage imitation of gestures waving and hand clapping.
Hide an object behind yourself or a pillow and encourage your child to move around this barrier to retrieve the object. Allow him to watch you hide the object.
Sing to your child and encourage him to sing back. Use family names in silly songs. Play “give me” games.
Make a picture book of family members. Point to the name and talk about these people.
Allow your child to play with a spoon during meals, then assist him in feeding himself.
Present finger foods that dissolve easily such as cheerios, small pieces of unsalted cracker and allow your child to finger feed himself.