- Reaches for objects reaches toward a mobile hanging over the crib or changing table; reaches toward a toy a few inches away
- Grasps and lets go of objects
- Places objects in his mouth to taste or chew
- Holds his head and upper body steady while being held or sitting in your lap
- Tries to turn book pages as you read books together, especially thick board book pages
Pre-Reading Milestones for 6 Months to 11 Months
Reading BrightStart! Screener
Is your 3-, 4- or 5-year-old child on track to read? Find out now.
- Enjoys large, clear pictures and photographs
- Vocalizes with a growing number of sounds may combine consonant and vowel sounds to represent words (muh-muh-muh, buh-buh-buh)
- Watches your face and reacts to your expressions when you talk your baby is learning how to communicate with others by looking at your eyes and your smile and listening to your voice.
- Pays attention to language and music turns toward the source of sounds and responds with expression or movement, such as a smile, to show pleasure, or bounces to the beat of a song
- Points at objects to direct your attention
- Talk, talk, talk with your child this is the foundation for language and future reading.
- Use board books that your child can safely put in his mouth.
- Choose books with large pictures or photographs, few or no words, and various textures.
- Frequently hold your baby so she can see your face.
- Point to and name objects and pictures.
- Stop a book activity when your child is tired, acts disinterested or fusses.
- Play interactive activities like Peek-a-Boo.
- Stops making voice sounds
- Does not respond to sounds seems not to hear sounds
- Does not respond to familiar people, objects or pictures
- Does not make progress with sitting and crawling
- Does not point at objects to direct your attention