Month 9

Purpose of Toys for a 9-Month-Old Baby

At nine months, babies are often pulling themselves up to a standing position and are becoming more interested in the details of the world around them. The toys for this stage are chosen to support pulling to stand and the exploration of details.

Standing Activity Table

A standing activity table is a fantastic toy for this age. The table provides a sturdy surface for a baby to pull themselves up on, which strengthens their leg and core muscles. Once standing, they can play with the various buttons, spinners, and other interactive elements on the table’s surface. This encourages gross motor skills and provides a variety of engaging activities.

Textured Board Books

At this age, babies are moving beyond simply mouthing books and are beginning to engage with them in a more focused way. Board books with different textures, such as felt, faux fur, or bumpy plastic, provide a rich sensory experience for their developing fingertips. This helps with tactile exploration and fine motor skills as they feel the different surfaces.

Pop-up Activity Toys

Pop-up toys, where a button or lever is pushed to make a character pop up, are excellent for teaching cause and effect. Your baby will love the surprise of the character appearing, and the repetition of this action helps to reinforce the connection between their actions and the result. This also helps with fine motor skills as they learn to manipulate the buttons and levers.

Large Knob Puzzles

Puzzles with large knobs are a great way to introduce problem-solving and develop fine motor skills. At nine months, a baby can practice picking up the pieces by the knobs and trying to place them in the correct spot. This helps to develop their pincer grasp and hand-eye coordination. It’s a simple yet effective toy for cognitive development.