Growing with your baby

Understand this stage

Movement, communication and social skills develop across the first year. Use age-specific milestones to guide conversations with your care team. Age ranges are guides, and abilities vary. Adapt suggestions for your child's interests, access needs and energy. If you are concerned about development or a loss of skills, talk with their healthcare professional.

Try together: a little back-and-forth

Copy a sound or expression, pause, and notice your baby's response.

1. Choose a moment when your baby is awake and comfortable.
2. Speak or sing softly, then leave a pause for a sound or look.
3. Follow their interest and stop when they turn away or need a break.

Make communication easier

Talk during ordinary care and describe what you are doing. Pause for your baby's response, even when it is a small look or movement. Share a board book by naming a picture; you do not have to finish it. Let family members take turns with the same familiar song.

Build a little independence

At this stage, adults own all care and safety. Participation means small choices through looks, sounds and reaching, not chores. Notice the effort specifically. A family activity does not need to produce a finished object or a new skill to be worthwhile. Choose one idea to repeat if everyone enjoyed it, and leave the rest for another day.