Your nine-month-old dances, claps, and tries to sing along—music is becoming a shared joy.
These musical activities develop coordinated rhythmic responses, encourage vocal imitation of melody, and build the social joy of making music together.
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.
Fill a sealed water bottle with rice or pasta for a homemade baby shaker — a taste-safe rattle your little one can grip and shake to make music.
Help your baby tap on different household surfaces — a wooden table, a cushion, a pot lid — to discover that different textures make different sounds.
Toss lightweight scarves into the air while singing — your baby will love tracking the colors as they float down in time with the music.
Wind up a music box and hide it under a cloth for your baby to find — combining the magic of music with early object permanence exploration.
Play soft instrumental music while giving your baby a gentle massage — combining soothing touch with musical awareness for a deeply calming experience.
Bounce your baby on your knee while singing action rhymes like "Ride a Cock Horse" — a joyful way to introduce tempo and predictable patterns.