As the months go by, your baby should be growing in their coordination skills and it only gets funner each day! This month, there are a few ways that you can help improve some new skills. Let’s take a look at a few of them.
Hide and Seek
This is the month to begin training your baby’s memory. At 5 months, your baby’s brain has enough short-term memory to remember an object for just a few seconds. We call this, object permanence. Throughout the next few months, your baby’s short-term memory will only improve, the more you practice this skill. In Month 4’s article, I mentioned to get a scarf out and place it into the Treasure Basket for this month.
Activities
Your baby will be able to demonstrate a behavior of searching for an object. You can try by placing your baby into various positions (lying down, sitting up, on their tummy, in a carseat, on your lap, at the dinner table). The idea is to get your baby’s attention with an object. Cover up the object with a scarf and look at your baby’s reaction. Are their eyes looking for it? Reveal the object and see if you can get your baby to smile.
Another great way to use object permanence is by using sound. While your baby is on your lap, grab an object that you can drop on the floor that will make a loud noise. See if your baby will suddenly demonstrate that they are searching for it. You can use a spoon, water bottle, or a wooden block. Anything in your home that will make a noise is fine. You can see if their listening skills are reacting to the noise, if they do not search with their eyes.
Anticipation
Your baby will begin to demonstrate anticipation during this month too. Place your baby on a blanket, while on the floor. You can simply give your baby kisses. After you have given your baby a few kisses, take a long pause and smile, but do not kiss your baby. Just pretend that you are about to kiss them. You should see their smile as their reaction to anticipating your kisses.
Capabilities
- Your baby should be able to sit momentarily, while supported, by leaning against you sitting on the floor. Your baby should be in between your legs with their legs slightly opened out for balance. You can also use a Boppy pillow for supporting your baby’s balance.
- Your baby should be showing that their neck and stomach muscles are being used to pull up to a sitting position, from a lying down position. Some babies are able to already pull up by themselves. Each baby develops at different times. You might still be holding your baby’s forearm, when pulling them up to a sitting position. If your baby is showing that they are strong enough, you can have them simply hold onto your pointer finger to pull up.
- When in different positions, your baby should be trying to reach out for objects. This might be with both hands at the same time, or with the hand closest to that object.
- Your baby should begin to roll onto their dominant side, when lying down. You should see a lot of kicking too.
- Depending on whether your baby is a little heavier than others, they should be able to stand up by supporting their full body weight. Some babies will even begin bouncing, while standing up.
Bottoms Up!
Your baby should be attempting to place their bottom up in the air. This is a sign that they are getting ready to crawl! Place your baby in this position and make a wall with your hands, while holding the bottom of both feet. When you push a little, your baby should push back. Avoid your hands from moving, instead, allow your baby to push themself forward. You can use your leg as a wall too. This helps them realize they have the capability to move and encourages your baby to want to crawl. Stop as soon as your baby gets fussy and remember to praise them for such a great effort!
