There are so many exciting things happening developmentally around the six-nine month mark: your little one is starting to sit up unassisted, perhaps he/she is starting to crawl! He/she is likely babbling and experiencing tons of fine motor growth. There are many materials to help support and foster these exciting milestones. You asked, so here it is!
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1. Mushie Stacking/Nesting Cups
Stacking cups are an excellent way to support your little one’s fine motor development. Stacking is not likely a skill that your little one will have before 8 months, but that doesn’t mean you can’t introduce these sooner! These are BPA free, lightweight, and easy to clean!
2. Infantino Sensory Blocks, Balls, and Animal Friends
I love the various textures and shapes in this set, which provide tons of sensory and tactile stimulation. The items are lightweight and a favorite for soothing during teething.
3. Edushape Sensory Balls
Another great sensory ball option that’s a fave in Jillybeans classes!
4. PlanToys Wooden Car
I like introducing toy cars around this age. They’re great for fostering cause/effect. I like that the wood pieces on this one move back and forth with your child’s touch. PlanToys products are sustainably crafted from chemical free rubberwood trees, formaldehyde-free glues, organic pigments, and water-based dyes.
5. O-Ball Car
Another great car option that is light-weight and easy to push.
6. Sassy Fascination Roll Around Toy
This toy is great for encouraging crawling. But even before your baby is mobile, he/she can bat at this toy when you stand it up vertically!
7. Baby Instruments
There are lots of great options when it comes to baby instruments, but I am partial to these because they are so easy to grip.
9. HABA Clutching Toy
I recently completed the RIE foundations course and saw many clutch toys like this featured in the videos we watched for observation. I like that the pieces can be moved freely around to create different shapes.
10. Fisher Price Laugh and Learn Piggy Bank
There is tons of fine motor development happening around this time and this toy is fantastic for working on that. One skill your little one is acquiring is placing items into containers and taking them out, which requires a lot of fine motor coordination and hand eye coordination. This toy is great for working on those skills!
11. Sassy Stacks of Circles
Around 8 months, you little one will be able to start stacking items on top of each other. Toys like this circle stacker are great for strengthening the little muscles in the fingers and hands and working on hand eye coordination!
12. Non-Toys
This really deserves its own post, which I’ve been working on, but for purposes of this post, I will highlight a few of my favorite non-toys for babies 6-9 months old. The open-endedness of non-conventional materials can lead to tons of creative exploration for babies and toddlers. Children find possibilities with materials that adults may not be able to imagine at first glance. Many times, to set up an engaging play experience, you need look no further than materials you already have at home! Think Tupperware, measuring cups, lightweight bowls, etc. I particularly like silicone for this age since everything is getting mouthed. Here are a few of my favorites:
Re-Play Bowls
Silicone Measuring Cups and Spoons
Silicone Colanders
And of course.....
12. Lovevery Subscription Kit: If you've been here before, then you know my love of Lovevery Toy Kit subscriptions runs deep. These monthly kits are specifically tailored to your child's development. You'll also be provided with information about the purpose behind the toys in each kit.
And, of course, you'll want to create a safe environment for play and exploration! Depending on your setup, it might not be possible to have a special space completely devoted to your child’s play. What you want to think about here, is an area of your home that you would feel most comfortable leaving your child to move around freely without as much adult supervising. I like this gate and mat from Baby Fun Zone.
