- Reaches for objects — reaches toward a mobile hanging over the crib or changing table; reaches toward a toy a few inches away
- Grasps and lets go of objects
- Places objects in his mouth to taste or chew
- Holds his head and upper body steady while being held or sitting in your lap
- Tries to turn book pages as you read books together, especially thick board book pages
Pre-Reading Milestones for 6 Months to 11 Months
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- Enjoys large, clear pictures and photographs
- Vocalizes with a growing number of sounds — may combine consonant and vowel sounds to represent words (“muh-muh-muh,” “buh-buh-buh”)
- Watches your face and reacts to your expressions when you talk — your baby is learning how to communicate with others by looking at your eyes and your smile and listening to your voice.
- Pays attention to language and music — turns toward the source of sounds and responds with expression or movement, such as a smile, to show pleasure, or bounces to the beat of a song
- Points at objects to direct your attention
- Talk, talk, talk with your child — this is the foundation for language and future reading.
- Use board books that your child can safely put in his mouth.
- Choose books with large pictures or photographs, few or no words, and various textures.
- Frequently hold your baby so she can see your face.
- Point to and name objects and pictures.
- Stop a book activity when your child is tired, acts disinterested or fusses.
- Play interactive activities like Peek-a-Boo.
- Stops making voice sounds
- Does not respond to sounds – seems not to hear sounds
- Does not respond to familiar people, objects or pictures
- Does not make progress with sitting and crawling
- Does not point at objects to direct your attention