Your Baby at 9-10 Months

Gross Motor and Large Muscle Development
He pulls up to standing against furniture and people.  He will stand briefly with one hand held, and may try to stand alone.  He cruises or walks sideways along furniture (couch or coffee table).  He may learn to sit down from standing.  He is crawling everywhere.  He may hold a toy in one hand when crawling.  He plays more and more in the all-fours position.  He dislikes playing on his back.  When sitting and gently pushed to either side, he will extend his arms on that side of his body to catch himself.

Fine Motor and Small Muscle Development
He uses his index finger to poke/point at objects, crevices or holes in toys.  He may try to build a tower of two blocks but most often without success. However, knocking down a tower you have built is great fun.  He is interested in self-feeding.  He will extend a toy to an adult, as if to "give” it to you, but won't let go.

Cognitive, Social and Visual Development
He may be starting to put toys "in" or take toys "out" of containers.  He loves to play pat-a-cake and so-big games and may wave bye-bye.  He uncovers a toy seen hidden.  He may say ma-ma and da-da as specific names.  He may be sensitive to other children; for example, crying when he hears another baby cry.  He imitates tongue clicking and "raspberries."  He performs or repeats acts if you applaud a behavior.  He may begin to use gestures as language appropriately; for example, shaking his head for no or waving bye-bye.  He will deliberately choose a toy for play.

Activities for You and Your Baby

• As his independence and motor skills increase, he will be very eager to explore the world around him. Child-proof your house thoroughly so he can safely explore without too many restrictions. Get  yourself down to his eye level and climbing level and think of all the things he can get into. Move breakable items out of reach or out of sight. Tell him what he is allowed to do when you need to restrict his exploring. If he begins to play with an out-of-bounds drawer or item, direct him to his toy box or a drawer of Tupperware containers and lids. Too many no's may inhibit his curiosity and learning.

• Let him feed himself finger-food or teething biscuits. Lots of hand-to-mouth movements will encourage active wrist and finger movement. He will explore his fingers as well as the food as he brings the food to his mouth. This will help him refine his small finger muscles. Let him try to pull tissue from a tissue box, a straw out of a plastic cup or pegs from a pegboard to work those tiny finger muscles.

• To learn about "out" and "in" concepts, let him play with empty margarine tubs, pots and pans, and shallow containers like pie pans. Place toys in and out during play with these. During his bath, fill plastic cups with water for him and let him dump the water "out."  Let him take a diaper "out" of the box when it is time to change him.

• Let him practice using his index or "pointer" finger to poke and probe at objects. Let him try pushing buttons to make something happen; for example, an elevator button lighting up, keys on a piano or a telephone dial.