3 Months to 6 Months

Please note: all babies develop at their own pace, this information should just be used as a genereal guide.

Physical: Your baby is becoming more active, alert, and able. She enjoys watching her own hands, and is becoming deliberate in reaching for objects. She is trying to move around and is developing a variety of strategies to get from here to there: scooching, rolling, rocking and even crawling.

Language: He is making a variety of sounds with his voice, lips and throat. He is learning his name, so be sure to use it when playing with him. Although it will be months before he begins to talk, he is starting to learn what words mean, so talk as you play and handle him.

Cognitive: She is starting to understand that she can make things happen and will grab and shake toys to make a sound. Everything possible is brought to her mouth for further exploration.

Social/Emotional: He is very interested in people and will smile in pleasure at familiar faces. He is becoming interested in who he is and will watch his own hands with fascination. He is beginning to laugh aloud.

Playing with Your Baby: Play games like Pat-a-Cake and Peek-a-Boo, sing simple songs, and talk to your baby. Put your baby on her tummy and put bright colored toys within reach so she will try to move towards and reach for them. Give her toys that are easy to hold, have different textures, and make noise. Put a mirror in front of her so she can look at herself.

Reading to Your Baby: Snuggle your baby in your lap and look at books that have large, simple pictures. Read the words or name the pictures. Simple songs and nursery rhymes are ways to encourage a life-long interest in words and language development for your baby. Read the words or name the pictures with expression in your voice.