Sometimes the best toys are not toys at all
Your baby learns by simply being with you, at your level, while you walk around your house and do your thing. They will love exploring simple tasks like turning the lights on and off, opening and closing doors, and “helping” you make coffee or get a glass of water.
Here are some tips for ways to engage with your baby in the tasks of everyday life:
- Tap on a window or door when you are holding your baby and see how they tune into the sound.
- Shake a bottle of vitamins.
- Let your baby (supervised) dump tea bags out of the box and explore them.
- Your baby is working their fine motor skills. With more and more practice, they will be able to turn things on and off on their own. Until then, put your fingers over theirs while you manipulate switches and faucets and door handles together.
- Babies love repetition, so feel free to explore the same places and perform the same tasks over and over 😊
Keep reading

9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
Best mashed foods to help your baby learn to chew
Discover 15 first foods to mash for your baby, according to a pediatric occupational therapist.

0 - 12 Weeks
3 - 4 Months
5 - 6 Months
7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
0 - 12 Months
Tummy time milestones by month
For a clear idea of positions and movements your baby may try from the earliest days of tummy time to the last, check out this illustrated month-by-month tummy time guide.

7 - 8 Months
9 - 10 Months
11 - 12 Months
5 tips to ease your baby’s stranger anxiety
Stranger anxiety is developmentally appropriate but difficult to manage. Next time your child is feeling anxious, try these five strategies.