Activties for 9 Month Old

In my personal opinion, it sounds like your son is developing above normal. I don't know very many babies with a 10 minute attention span. My nephew was the same way. He is almost four now and speaks phrases in Spanish and knows sign language. Again, in my opinion, let him listen to as much classical music as you can stand. Studies have proven that this promotes learning and increases brain activity. My nephew listened to classical in the womb, he now listens in the car and when he goes to bed at night. Also, Baby Einstein is incredible! I don't know what it is about those shows, but babies are enthralled. They also help to promote brain activity.
What you are doing is plenty. Reading to him is going to promote a love for reading and he'll probably learn his letters faster and read earlier. You can talk about shapes and colors and numbers and he will retain the information. You'll be surprised how much he knows when he gets older!

Hi K.,

You should go to Little Gym - there is a new one by the Walmart on McKinney Ranch Parkway (720). That would also get you out of the house and around other moms - you might even get a playdate or two out of it!

It sounds like you are doing great. It was really hard for me too - from working full-time, to mommying full-time. The only thing that it sounds like he is missing is interaction with other mommies and babies. This site is a great resource to find a group close to you, whether a moms group or a class, etc. I live in FW and my friend and I bought zoo passes when our first babies were little, just to have a great place to walk with them. They enjoyed riding in the stroller, looking at the animals - and mostly the others kids. Repost with your area, and I bet you'll get a lot of suggestions for activities close to your home. Since I'm home full-time now (with 3 kids at home with me) I try to find something for us to do every day - it gives the kids interactions with someone other than just me and makes our days interesting. Have fun!

Enroll in Gymboree. He will enjoy the activities, the socialization, and the special 'mommy and me' time.

I'm mommy to a beautiful 10 month old boy. I've had the same thoughts about how to stimulate his little brain. He goes to day care two days a week and I'm able to watch him on video while he's there. That has really put my mind at ease that we are doing OK while we're home. It sounds like you are doing all you need to do. Remeber, everything is new to him. While you may be thinking, "ok, now what, I guess we can play with the (whatever) AGAIN." He doesn't remember that you just played with that a little while ago. Sounds like you guys are only missing socialization. We really enjoy it when a friend with a small child comes over. He likes the play time and I like the mommy time. I'm hoping to find a play group in my neighborhood. Good luck and enjoy him!

Sounds to me like you are right on target, Mom. Are you playing peek-a-boo and letting him watch himself in a mirror? It's not too soon to be teaching him the names of his body parts (eyes, nose, mouth, ears, hair, chin, tummy, etc) and associating the sounds animals make with their pictures. He may not begin to respond for awhile; but you'll be surprised at what he'll pick up...depending on the child. This is about the time that I start teaching the children in my group simple sign language, too. I show them three main signs..."more", "please", and "thank-you"....while they are sitting in their little chairs for feedings. "Milk", "juice", "cookie" are usually the next ones I use. It's so much fun and they will begin to use it some by one year of age or soon thereafter.

Good luck to you and God Bless...
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Sounds like you're doing great! Some of the things my kids have liked include story time at the library. The Denton Library has a special one for kids under 18mo called Mother Goose Time. It's a fun way to get out of the house, and your son would probably like the little songs and finger-plays. Some fun activities at home:
playing in a sandbox of kiddie pool outside (early in the morning, of course, in this heat!)
stacking blocks
putting things "in" and "out" of a bucket or something (there are lots of toys that help with this)
looking in a mirror
climbing (if he's mobile, he can crawl over pillows and under chairs, etc.)

I love the Gymboree books. They have one for infants and toddlers. They are full of activities to do w/ your child based on their age and it tells you why the activity is important and what skill(s) it is helping to develop. You can pick them up at any Barnes and Noble and probably can find them at 1/2 price books. Also, the gymboree website used to have an activity page where they listed a new activity every week to do with your child. Not sure if they still have it as that was five years ago when I used it for my son. I still ahve the books and I used them when my daughter was an infant (now 18months)

Another company I like is Brighter Visions Learning (you can google for them). They send you a package once a month with an age appropriate book, activity/craft, and a work book. My daughter LOVES the stickers and all the songs we sing (it comes with a CD too) and all the lessons are themed.

Have fun!