Parenting Tips for Your 4 Month Old Baby
Contents |
How I Grow
- I turn my head in all directions.
- I lift my head forward when I’m on my back and grab my feet with my hands.
- I sit up with my head and back straight if you support my body.
- I prefer sitting, instead of lying down. It’s more interesting!
- I roll from side to side, and I might even be able to roll from my tummy to my back. Watch out! I could quickly roll off a counter, changing table, or bed.
- My reaching and grasping skills are getting better. At first, I had to look from my hand to the toy. As I get better, I grab for the toy without looking at my hands first.
- I try to move a toy from one hand to the other.
- I put things in my mouth.
- I splash and kick with my hands and feet while getting a bath.
How I Talk
- I babble and imitate sounds, such as coughing and clicking my tongue. Make the same sounds back to me.
- I coo, grin, or squeal with joy when you talk to me.
How I Understand
- My hands are so cool! I really like looking at them.
- I like some people, but I may be shy around others.
- I can remember where an object was hidden for a few seconds.
- I’m starting to learn that things go together. When I hear the water running, I look forward to splashing in my bathtub.
- I remember important people, such as Mom and Dad, from night to morning or even longer. I may have a favorite toy or blanket.
- I know if something is near or far. I’m more aware of depth and distance.
How I Feel
- I get excited when I have fun. Everything is a game to me.
- I may cry and get mad when you stop paying attention to me or take a toy away.
- I love it when you play music and dance with me.
- When you hug, kiss, and hold me, I feel loved.
Help Me Learn
- Put me on my tummy and hold up a toy for me to follow. This helps me learn to roll over.
- Blow soap bubbles for me to follow with my eyes.
- Read nursery rhymes to me. I like to listen to your voice.
- I like looking at myself in the mirror. Give me a kiss while both of us are looking in the mirror. Move me close to the mirror, then away. Let me touch the mirror.
- Play, “This little piggy…” with my toes or fingers.
- If I seem strong enough, encourage me to get on my hands and knees and rock my body. Show me what to do.
- Set me on the floor and hold me up. Let me try to sit alone and balance myself.
- Place toys out of my reach and ask me to get them. Watch me roll or scoot!
How Am I Doing?
Look back at last month’s newsletter list. Am I doing anything now that I wasn’t then? Look for my growth in each area, and gently help me to learn new things. If I was born preterm, use my due date, rather than my birth date, for keeping track of how I am developing. For more information on your baby's development, check out developmental milestones at the American Academy of Pediatrics Web site: http://www.aap.org/healthtopics/stages.cfm or the Centers for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/autism/actearly/.
Learn more about Your 4 Month Old Baby from Just In Time Parenting. You can also go to our Resource Links for additional information on child care and development.
