Social and emotional milestones include:

• She recognises and prefers to be with familiar people
• She responds to her name
• She can become anxious when you move out of her range of sight
• She ‘tells’ you that she wants to be picked up by stretching her arms up
• She pokes out her tongue, or coughs to get your attention and to initiate communication

What can I do to encourage her social and emotional development?

• Play Peekaboo – she’ll enjoy the game and also help to learn that you are still around even when she can’t see you
• Let her play with a mirror – she will find it fascinating that she can see another baby
• Spend plenty of time engaging with her – at this age, your baby’s favourite ‘toy’ is still you and she will learn how to interact with the world through her playtime with you.

Signs that suggest a developmental problem:

• She doesn’t display recognition or pleasure at seeing familiar faces
• She doesn’t make eye contact with you
• She is still hard to settle and doesn’t seem to be reassured by the presence of you or another close carer
• She doesn’t show any particular interest in what is going on around her

All children are different and develop at different rates, so don’t be overly concerned if your baby is acquiring new skills at a different rate to those around her. But if you are worried about her development, talk to a health professional for a little reassurance.

Read more:

• 6 – 9 month baby communication
• 6 – 9 month physical development
• 6 – 9 month baby routines

This article was written by Ella Walsh for Kidspot.