Children's Age-by-Age Guide: 6 to 9 Months

Emotional Milestones

Your baby's emotions are starting to surface -- she will display anger when you take away a favorite toy, and she'll coo excitedly and reach out to be picked up when she sees you. You may hear her try to imitate inflections she hears in other people's voices. She's becoming more interested in strangers and the world at large, but she prefers to experience it from the security of your arms.

Smart Strategy:

Help your child learn about her world by introducing her to new people and places, while respecting her stranger anxiety. She needs you to respond -- to return her smile, reach out to her when she reaches out to you. Games like tossing a ball back and forth help foster this understanding.

A much greater awareness of what is going on in his world has a downside for your baby at this age: stranger anxiety. Because your child is now able to tell the difference between familiar and unfamiliar situations, he's more fearful of strangers and he's likely to bury his head in your shoulder when you introduce him to new people. He will cry from frustration when he's unable to perform a task he wants to do, say get a toy that's out of reach. This frustration will spur his development, so don't rush in to help him out too often.

Smart Strategy:

Your baby needs you to keep him interested in the excitement of the world, while at the same time making him feel safe and secure. Do this by talking to him calmly while holding him firmly when encountering new people and experiences.