Your baby points at things they want to know about—that pointed finger is the beginning of asking questions.
These activities build joint attention, early categorization skills, and the communicative intent that marks a major leap in cognitive development.
Joint attention — your baby pointing at something and looking back to make sure you see it too — is one of the most significant cognitive milestones. It means your baby understands that you have a separate perspective and wants to share theirs with you.
Follow your baby's points and respond enthusiastically. Name what they're pointing at. Share their excitement about what they've discovered. This joint attention loop is the foundation of language, social learning, and collaborative thinking.
Joint attention at nine months marks the emergence of shared understanding — the cognitive foundation for language acquisition, social learning, and theory of mind.
Waving, clapping, pointing—your baby is communicating with gestures! Respond enthusiastically to show them their signals are understood.
Cruising along furniture is great exercise. Arrange sturdy furniture so your baby can practice moving between supports safely.
Board books with flaps and textures are perfect now. Let your baby turn the pages—the fine motor practice matters as much as the story.
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.
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.
Give your baby safe containers and objects to put in, take out, and dump. This endlessly satisfying game builds early spatial reasoning and cause-and-effect.