1. 9 months

2. * Babbling starts to sound like real words * Understands “no” * Uses fingers to point at things * Makes lots of different noises How can you help your baby’s development? * Read and talk to your baby * Play games with “my turn, your turn.” * Say what you think your baby is feeling. For example, say, “You are so sad, let’s see if we can make you feel better.” * Describe what your baby is looking at; for example, “red, round ball.

3. * May be afraid of strangers * Has favorite toys * May be clingy with familiar adults How can you help your baby’s development? * Pay attention to the way he reacts to new situations and people; try to * continue to do things that make your baby happy and comfortable. * As she moves around more, stay close so she knows that you are near. * Continue with routines; they are especially important now.

4. * Able to make links between sounds, gestures and meaning * Understand that waving is connected to a phrase * Looks for things he sees you hide How can you help your baby’s development? * Play peek-a-boo and hide- and-seek * Read and talk to your baby.

5. * Stands, holding on * Can get into sitting position * Sits without support * Pulls to stand * Crawls * Develops control over hands and fingers How can you help your baby’s development? * Put your baby close to things that she can pull up on safely. * Provide lots of room for your baby to move and explore in a safe area.

6. * Make sure objects that are in reach of child aren’t things that could hurt them * Constant supervision * Cut their food into small pieces to prevent a choking hazard * Don’t allow your baby to play with anything that might cover her face * Have proper, age appropriate toys for them to play with

7. * Wouldn't learn to move on to the next stage * The environment they were raised in is the foundation for their development * Contributes to well-being of child (social, emotional, intellectual and physical) * An opportunity for parents to fully engage with child * Allows children to use their creativity and develop an imagination * Teaches children how to work in groups, share, negotiate, resolve conflicts and self advocate

8. * Breakfast – iron-fortified infant cereal, breast milk/formula, cooked egg and mashed banana * Morning snack – mashed baby biscuits and puréed apples * Lunch – iron-fortified cereal mixed with breast milk/formula, mashed potato and minced chicken * Afternoon snack – mashed peaches * Dinner – iron-fortified infant cereal mixed with breast milk/formula, mashed pears and minced meat Caregivers set the stage for healthy eating patters that their children will maintain for life. A healthy diet for a 9 month old includes breast milk/formula, iron-fortified infant cereal and small amounts of a variety of foods.

9. Ginsberg, K. (2013). PEDIATRICS. The Importance of Play in Promoting Healthy Child Development and Maintaining Strong Parent-Child Bonds, 119, Pp. 182- 191. Healthy Families BC. (2013, August 5). Retrieved March 1, 2015, from https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/babies-cognitive- development-9-12-months https://www.healthyfamiliesbc.ca/home/articles/babies-cognitive- development-9-12-months Infants (0-1 year of age). (2015, February 12). Retrieved March 1, 2015, from http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/childdevelopment/positiveparenting