Developmental milestones record - 9 months

Alternative names

Growth milestones for children - 9 months; Childhood growth milestones - 9 months; Normal childhood growth milestones - 9 months

Definition

This article describes the skills and growth markers relevant to 9 month-old infants.

Information

A 9 month-old generally has reached the following milestones.

Physical characteristics and motor skills:

• Weight gain slows down to approximately 15 grams per day, 1 pound per month
  
• Length should increase by 1.5 centimeters per month
  
• Bowel and bladder systems become more regulated
  
• Parachute reflex to protect self from falling
  
• Has the ability to crawl
  
• Can remain sitting for prolonged periods
  
• May pull self to standing position
  
• Begins preference for dominant hand
  
• Has a pincer grasp between thumb and index finger
  

Sensory and cognitive:

• Development of depth perception
  
• Achieve "object constancy", the understanding that objects continue to exist even when not seen
  
• Can respond to simple commands
  
• Understands the meaning of no
  
• Imitates speech sounds
  
• May be afraid of being left alone
  

Play:

• Provide picture books
  
• Provide different stimuli:
  o Go to the mall (people)
  o Go to the zoo (animals)
  
• Play ball
  
• Build vocabulary by reading and naming people and objects in the environment
  
• Teach hot and cold through play
  
• Provide large toys that can be pushed to encourage walking