Bananas Baby Briefs: 5 – 8 Months

Babies Show us They Know What's Happening!

Babies from 4-12 months are beginning to be very attached to their mommies. Some babies reject strangers or cry when strangers get close. THIS MAY BE A HARD TIME TO LEAVE CHILDREN IN CHILD CARE.

If your baby does cry or get upset when you leave, don’t scold. Hold, comfort, love and talk to your baby. Say that you must leave, but that you’ll be back. You may have to go through this process a few times, so the baby will learn to trust that you really WILL return. Parents and child care providers should work together to help the child get used to a new situation.

These babies are also learning about their own bodies and about the world around them. They are reaching out. They examine things first with their eyes, with their hands, and with their mouths. They listen, they respond, and they love to imitate what you do.

What Do These Babies Like To Do?

• Roll over Suck on fingers
• Smile
• Sit up
• Touch things
• Reach for things
• Grasp things
• Coo Drool (if teething)
• Move around
• Wave hands in the air
• Drop things on purpose
• Pull to stand up
• Look in mirrors
• Lean forward to grasp an object

What Can I Do With Babies This Age?

• Place safe toys in front of them
• Play games like “Pat a Cake” or “Peek a Boo”
• Sing and talk to them
• Hold them
• When babies do something new, give praise with words, a smile or a hug
• Name and point to objects around the house
• Keep them in a place where they can see other family members
• Give them a bath
• Go for walks
• Listen to music

Activity:

These children love to put things into a pan and then empty them out. Take a container and several objects and place them in front of the baby. Fill up and empty the container while explaining what you are doing. Then let the baby try. (This can occupy a lot of time; it will also help to show how small and big are related and how babies are related to the big world!)

CHILDREN GROW AT DIFFERENT SPEEDS. ENCOURAGE, BUT DON’T PUSH!

If you want to discuss your child care arrangement or the growth and development of a child in your care, call the BANANAS Warm Line or attend some of our many workshops and classes. BANANAS is located at 5232 Claremont Avenue, Oakland, CA 94618. For general information, call (510) 658-7353, or check our website at www.bananasinc.org.

Thanks to Judy Alley for her suggestions.

© 1979, BANANAS, Inc. Revised 2005.