Infants are active learners, and in this time period babies become more mobile and improve their ability to manipulate objects, but don’t forget that each child will develop at her own pace.

At This Stage

• Your baby will be driven by curiosity and the need to "get into things." As fingers, body, arms and legs become more coordinated, babies begin to explore everything, from the crumb on the floor to furniture and stairs.



• Your baby's memory also gets stronger as she searches for dropped or covered up objects, and she never tires of playing peek-a-boo.



• Infants will begin to show signs of independence, such as attempting to feed themselves, but the security of their parents' presence is still needed so they can explore their environment with confidence.



• A big achievement at this stage is that your baby will begin to respond to her name by turning and looking at you when you call. She will also be making babbling sounds that the family, at least, can interpret as words.

All the time you have spent talking to your baby has already begun to pay off.

Find out more about what to expect.

Comfort, Play & Teach: A Positive Approach to Parenting™

To help you to encourage your child's social, emotional and intellectual development, we have created Comfort, Play & Teach: a Positive Approach to Parenting™. This simple approach is built on everyday activities that are part of your daily routine.

What may seem like the simplest and most automatic activities that you do with your child every day - like putting a bandage on a "boo boo", playing hide and go seek, or cuddling with your baby – are in fact among the most important ways parents can help children reach their full potential.

When you comfort, play with and teach your child, you open up a world of possibilities for her. Through simple activities that are easy and natural to do, you encourage your child's ability to learn and to create, to communicate to love and to trust and to approach life with confidence and enthusiasm.

• When you comfort your child, she learns to feel secure, loved and valued.
• When you play with your child, he learns to explore and discover the world and his role in it.
• When you teach your child, she learns how to relate to others, solve problems and communicate.

All areas of your child's development are interconnected and depend on nurturing the whole child. Comfort, Play & Teach: A Positive Approach to Parenting™ provides a practical and natural way to support your child's healthy development. When you comfort, play with and teach your child, you are encouraging all aspects of his development:

• Social Development: how children learn to relate to others
• Emotional Development: how children learn to express and manage their emotions
• Intellectual Development: how children learn to process information, solve problems, face challenges and learn