Deb’s Blog

Jumping develops once your toddler is walking, going up and down stairs, trotting, and walking on their toes.

Any activity that your child does (whether organised or unstructured) that they find fun is considered play. Play is much more than just having fun. While playing, your child learns and develops important skills they will continue to use throughout their lifetime. There are 6 stages of play during early childhood – all of which are important for all areas of development.

Pointing is a fine motor skill that is used for early social and communication interactions.

In the last 2 weeks we have had a number of our little people at TFK achieve independent standing. Such a lovely thing to see as a baby has the confidence and skills to let go and stand alone. Initially they can only stand, but very quickly they can hold a toy, play, and reach while maintaining their balance in standing. The ability to stand alone is important for both motor and social/cognitive development.

Last week we discussed fine motor development in the first 6 months and the importance of vision and gross motor skills for this successful development. From 6-12 months, this continues to be the case, but as well fine motor development (especially pointing) is important for early communication.

For the next couple weeks, we will discuss the development of fine motor skills in the first 12 months of a baby’s life. Fine motor skills are the movements we make using the small muscles of the hands.

Welcome back to transitional gross motor milestones. Your babies are far more mobile now! Which is so much fun but also means you may have to have a closer, watchful eye on those moving little people.

8 to 10 months old babies begin to have more strength and explore the space around them.