HomeEarly Years Resources Growth and Development 9 Months

9 Months

Below is a list of developmental milestones that children typically reach at the end of 9 months of age. Review them with your child’s healthcare professional and talk about what to expect next.

Movement & Physical Development

  • Stands, holding on
  • Can geet into sitting position
  • Sits without support
  • Pulls to stand
  • Crawls

Social & Emotional

  • • Smiles spontaneously, particularly at people • Likes to play with people • Copies some movements and facial expressions – smiling and frowningMay be afraid of strangers
  • May be clingy with other family adults
  • Has favourite toys

COGNITIVE (LEARNING, THINKING, PROBLEM SOLVING)

  • Watches the path of something as it falls
  • Looks for things your child sees you hide
  • Plays peek-a-boo
  • Puts things in their mouth
  • Movees thing smoothly from one hand to the other
  • Picks up things like cereal between thumb and index finger

LANGUAGE & COMMUNICATION

  • Understands "no"
  • Makes a lot of different sounds like "mamamamama" and "bababababa" 
  • Copies sounds and gestures of others
  • Uses fingers to point at things

What You Can Do With Your 9-Month-Old

You can help your baby learn and grow. Talk, read, sing, and play together every day. Here are some activities to enjoy with your 9-month-old baby today.
 
ACTIVITY LIST

Ask For Help if Your Child...

  • Doesn’t bear weight on legs with support 
  • Doesn’t sit with help 
  • Doesn’t babble (“mama”, “baba”, “dada”) o Doesn’t play any games involving back-and-forth play 
  • Doesn’t respond to own name 
  • Doesn’t seem to recognize familiar people 
  • Doesn’t look where you point 
  • Doesn’t transfer toys from one hand to the other
Tell your healthcare provider if you notice any of these signs of possible developmental delay for this age. You can also talk with someone in your community who is familiar with services for young children in your area. Try the FCWN Navigator by emailing [email protected] or calling 403-995-2706.