Your baby reaches for toys with purpose now—they're beginning to understand that they can make things happen.
These activities build intentional reaching, early cause-and-effect understanding, and the cognitive flexibility that comes from exploring objects in new ways.
Your baby reaches for specific toys now — not just anything nearby, but the one they want. This intentional reaching requires coordinating what they see with what their hand does, a cognitive milestone that connects perception to action.
Place interesting objects slightly out of reach to encourage purposeful reaching. Celebrate when they connect — 'You got it!' — and offer variety so they learn that different objects have different properties. Every reach is a tiny experiment.
Intentional reaching at four months demonstrates emerging motor planning and goal-directed behavior — the cognitive skills behind all purposeful action.
Mirror play is magic right now. Your baby loves looking at faces—especially their own. Prop a baby-safe mirror at tummy time for extra engagement.
Babbling is starting! When your baby coos, respond as if you're having a real conversation. This turn-taking teaches the rhythm of communication.
Rolling is on the horizon. Give plenty of floor time on a firm surface—a play mat, not a bouncer—to encourage those first rolls.
Hide a musical toy or phone playing music under a blanket and let your baby search for the sound source. Builds listening skills and early problem-solving.
Create a simple board with different fabrics and textures for your baby to touch and explore. Builds sensory awareness and early reaching skills.
Stack soft blocks into a tower with your baby and let them knock it down. The build-and-crash cycle teaches spatial reasoning, cause and effect, and pure joy.
Introduce your baby to a simple shape sorter — but forget the rules. At this age, mouthing, banging, and experimenting with the pieces is the real learning.
Count to three and lift your baby into the air during play. This anticipation game pairs number words with a thrilling physical payoff babies adore.
Hide a favorite toy under a scarf and let your baby find it. This classic peek-a-boo variation builds object permanence — a major cognitive milestone.