Encouraging Healthy Development - Healthy Development Ideas - 6 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 6-month-old baby develop and grow.

Moving - Physical or Motor Development

Place toys near your baby so he/she can move and reach for them.
Put your baby on his/her tummy or back and put toys just out of reach to encourage rolling and reaching.
Help your baby to sit or support with pillows; let your baby look around or give toys to look at while balancing.
Place your baby on his/her back to sleep during naps and at night.
Introduce liquids in a cup.
Play on the floor with your baby every day.

Talking - Communication and Language Development

Talk and play with your baby.
Imitate your baby’s sounds and say words with those sounds (if she says “bah,” say bottle and book).
Look at and read books with your baby; praise him/her for babbling and "reading" too.
When your baby looks at something, point to it and talk about it.

Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

Be predictable and consistent when you interact with your baby.
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.
Use “reciprocal” play – smile when your baby smiles, and copy his/her sounds.
Learn your baby’s moods – keep doing what makes your baby happy; take a break and calm your baby when he/she is upset.
Show your baby how to comfort himself/herself when upset such as sucking on fingers or holding a favorite toy.

Thinking - Cognitive Development

Provide a safe environment such as a blanket on the floor for your baby to reach for toys and explore the surroundings.
Put toys near your baby's hands and feet so he/she can reach or kick at them.
Talk, read and sing to your baby.
Play "peek-a-boo" and "pat-a-cake."
Pick up a toy when your baby drops it on the floor and give it back to help teach cause-and-effect.

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