Encouraging Healthy Development - Healthy Development Ideas - 4 Months

Incredible growth occurs during the first three years of a child’s life. There are many things you can do to support and nurture healthy development during this time. Below, we’ve listed some specific activities to help a 4-month-old baby develop and grow.

Moving - Physical or Motor Development

Cuddle, talk, sing and play with your baby while feeding, dressing and bathing.
Put a toy or rattle in your baby’s hand and help him/her hold it.
Hold your baby upright with his/her feet on the floor - sing or talk to your baby as he/she “stands” with support.
Use toys that are soft, safe for infants and colorful to attract your baby's attention.
Place your baby on his/her back to sleep during naps and at night.
Have Tummy Time: Place your baby on his/her tummy when awake and put toys nearby so that he/she can reach and grab them.

Talking - Communication and Language Development

Watch your baby to learn his/her signals – does your baby cry when hungry, rub eyes when tired or look away when he/she wants to do something different?
Imitate your baby’s sounds and act excited in response to those sounds.
Play games such as "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake."
Read and sing to your baby.

Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

Pay attention to what your baby likes and doesn’t like so that you can figure out what your baby needs and how to make him/her happy.
Cuddle, talk and play with your baby while feeding, dressing and bathing.
Hold, talk to and smile at your baby.
Establish routines for sleeping and feeding.

Thinking - Cognitive Development

Provide a safe environment, such as a blanket on the floor, where your baby can reach for toys and explore his/her surroundings.
Put toys near your baby's hands and feet so that he/she can reach for or kick them.
Talk, read and sing to your baby.
Watch how your baby is discovering his/her body – looking at hands, sucking on feet, and arching back and trying to roll.

If you have concerns about a child's development and think a child might need extra help to learn and grow, don't hesitate to refer a child.

The family will be contacted by the local school district to arrange for a screening or evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for Infant and Toddler Intervention or Preschool Special Education services in Minnesota.

Refer a Child

Services are free!

Regardless of:

Income
Immigration Status