General:

By the time an infant is 6 months old, s/he is beginning to show independence in play, beginning to interact with others, and improving motor skills at an astounding rate.

Sometime between 6 and 12 months, the infant begins to become aware that there are familiar people and strangers, thus the occasional crying and clinging when an unfamiliar person shows his or her face.

The 6-12 month old can indicate wants and desires through gesture or intonation of voice and begins to become more self-reliant. At this age, the infant begins eating finger foods and playing independently.

Attention:
Between the age of 6-12 months, the infant can attend to a caregiver or an object for at least one minute. In addition, when another sensory stimulus is introduced (e.g., interrupting the infant gazing at a toy by starting a music box), the infant will turn and recognize the new sound. The infant can also attend to a toy or object AND listen to the voice of the caregiver at the same time.

You might be concerned if the child does not:

• Show steady and measurable increases in height, weight, and head circumference.
• Smile in response to smiles of others.
• Follow a moving object with eyes focused.
• Bring hands together at mid-chest.
• Turn head to locate sounds.
• Begin to raise head and upper body when placed on stomach.
• Reach for objects or familiar persons.
• Hold head up for a long time without bobbing.
• Laugh out loud.
• Roll from front to back.
• Like to play.
• Make sounds when talked to.

Adapted from: Allen, K. E. & Marotz, I. (1989). Developmental profiles: Birth to six. Delmar Publishers Inc.

 About the Author: Dr. Catherine Swanson Cain, PhD, LMFT provides counseling and therapy to families of young children with behavior problems or mental health disabilities. She also provides consultation and training to educators, child care providers, and professionals on a variety of behavioral health issues.