The seventh month is full of new surprises because your Baby is now beginning to show signs of moving around or already is! Has your Baby been enjoying eating solids? Being able to sit at the dinner table will not only bring enjoyment, but will also allow for your Baby to observe the family from a different perspective. This is the month where you might hand an object to your Baby from the high chair and see your Baby drop it. You might notice that you end up picking up things a lot for your Baby, but have you ever thought that this is exactly why your Baby dropped it again? Your little one has just learned cause and effect! Drop it like it’s hot!

Take something and create a strong reaction as you drop an object, then see how your Baby responds to you. This might involve taking a sippie cup and allowing your Baby to drop it. After the cup stops bouncing around, use a dramatic voice and say, “Oh No!!!” Start the process all over again and see what you notice that your Baby didn’t do the previous time. Have fun with your Baby by tying your sippie cup to the high chair and letting your little one drop it. There’s no sound! Does your Baby look over the edge to find out where it went? Have fun while your Baby experiences fine motor skills, cause and effect and pragmatics.

Baby Skills

Some of your Baby’s new skills could include:

Crawling
Creeping
Standing when supported
Laughing when playing “peek-a-boo”
Dropping objects
Banging objects
Investigating
Blowing Raspberries
Being Vocal
Can grab their foot and place into their mouth

Motor Skills to Work On

Keep sitting your Baby upright on the floor and support by only allowing your Baby to hold onto one finger, in each of your hands.
Practice getting your Baby to go from a sitting position to a standing position. Some babies might have leg muscles that are not strong enough yet. You can have your Baby sit on your leg, while you sit on the floor and go from a sitting to standing position that way. Later, as you see your Baby get stronger, sit your Baby on the floor and have your Baby pull up into a standing position from there.
You can also introduce a mirror, while doing tummy time and encourage your Baby to scoot towards their reflection, which encourages crawling.
Begin using an ottoman or a couch to help your Baby stand up with support. Place a toy in front of them, while they are standing, to keep their attention. Make sure to stay close in case your Baby’s knees buckle and they fall.
Practice having your Baby pick up a small toy (always staying close due to this being a choking hazard) and see if they can use their full hand to pick up the toy. For standing exercises, always make sure your Baby is barefoot.
Begin placing your Baby on the floor and tucking their knees underneath them. They will not like the feeling of all their bottom weight being on their knees, so make sure to use a thick mat for extra comfort and support. See if your Baby leans on their forearms or if they can place their hands down and support themselves in a hands and knees position.