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cooking Use the microwave to make baby foods: Peel fruits, like peaches or apples, place them in a microwave- safe dish with a little water, and heat for 4 minutes. This should sufficiently cook the fruit so you can easily puree it. Serve pureed and chilled. Safety Tip: Never serve hot microwave food items to baby without sufficient cooling time!

play & learn 9-12 months

These recommended activities can be done daily with your baby. Make sure to be sensitive to your baby’s cues. At this age, baby still has a short attention span. If they aren’t enjoying the activity, or if they are crying, it is important to attend to his or her needs. Once baby is calm, you can try again later!

1. make a book: part 2
Developmental benefits: Visual stimulation; Social bonding; Language

click on image to print (PDF)

Instructions: These printable story cards make great books to read to baby. Place each page in a photo album and read with baby for a great "quiet time" activity. Use the blank pages to insert photos of baby and family members where indicated. Baby will love to see herself with her family in this book! The theme of this book is "What's Outside?"

Safety Tip: Cards should be handled by adults only. Print-outs from your computer are not baby-proof!

2. finger puppets
Developmental benefits: Bonding

click on image to print (PDF)

Instructions: Print out the finger puppets provided and wrap them around your fingers. Use them to make up stories or sing songs. This set features a group of pigs. Great for "This Little Piggy."

3. making play dough
Developmental benefits: Tactile stimulation

Instructions: Collect items of various textures throughout the house and let baby explore them. Rub them gently over her hand. Ideas include: a piece of satin, cotton, sandpaper, burlap, tissue paper. Let baby rub her hands over each of them.

Safety Tip: Do not leave baby unattended with these materials. Adult supervision required.

4. smelling games
Developmental benefits: Sensory stimulation

Instructions: An easy way to keep baby interested while you are cooking is to let her smell the ingredients you are using for the meal while she is watching you in her high chair. Exploring different smells is very stimulating to baby. Use an empty container, poke holes in the lid, and fill with a food that has an interesting smell ( a lemon wedge, a piece of garlic, a cinnamon stick).

Safety Tip: Do not use any powders or hot, spicy items.

5. velcro toys
Developmental benefits: Sensory stimulation

Instructions: Use strong adhesive Velcro and place one side on the bottom of a toy and the other on a piece of fabric. Show baby how the toy sticks to the Velcro. Let baby try. Baby will enjoy the sensation of pulling her toys off the Velcro and making them stick again.

Safety Tip: Do not leave child unattended with this toy.