Between seven and nine months, babies start to develop more hand skills to help them with their daily activities. Babies are able to secure objects using a raking motion. Opposition of their thumbs should be emerging. They are beginning to develop a pincer grasp (with objects held between their thumbs and pointer fingers). Some babies may start finger feeding at this age as well, and can hold their bottles to their mouths.
Books Continued
Encourage your baby to use their hands and fingers to turn the pages of cloth and board books. This encourages the development of their fine motor skills while simultaneously nurturing pre-literacy skills.
Pull Toys
Teach your babies to use pull toys by helping draw the toys closer to themselves by pulling on the strings. You should demonstrate and physically help your baby with fading support until they can do it themselves. Always supervise this activity for safety reasons.
Velcro
Attach small toys to velcro and put them on velcro strips near your baby. Help your baby grasp and pull off the toys. This increases the strength in their hands and gives them a motivating means to improve their fine motor skills.
Balloons
Throw balloons in the air above your baby, and see if he or she can track it visually and use their hands to reach for and bat at them. In addition to encouraging the use of their hands, this activity helps develop improved hand-eye coordination.
leapaheadenrichment.com 