Alternative names 
Growth milestones for children - 9 months; Childhood growth milestones - 9 months; Normal childhood growth milestones - 9 months

Definition
This article describes the skills and growth markers relevant to 9 month-old infants.

Information

A 9 month-old generally has reached the following milestones.

Physical characteristics and motor skills:

 
• Weight gain slows down to approximately 15 grams per day, 1 pound per month  
• Length should increase by 1.5 centimeters per month  
• Bowel and bladder systems become more regulated  
• Parachute reflex to protect self from falling  
• Has the ability to crawl  
• Can remain sitting for prolonged periods  
• May pull self to standing position  
• Begins preference for dominant hand  
• Has a pincer grasp between thumb and index finger

Sensory and cognitive:

 
• Development of depth perception  
• Achieve “object constancy”, the understanding that objects continue to exist even when not seen  
• Can respond to simple commands  
• Understands the meaning of no  
• Imitates speech sounds  
• May be afraid of being left alone

Play:

 
• Provide picture books  
• Provide different stimuli:       o Go to the mall (people)       o Go to the zoo (animals)  
• Play ball  
• Build vocabulary by reading and naming people and objects in the environment  
• Teach hot and cold through play  
• Provide large toys that can be pushed to encourage walking

Medical Encyclopedia

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