8-12 Months: Babies in Motion -- Observation Record

How does the baby control his body and move from place to place?

Babies this age move in many different ways, whether crawling with increasing skill or taking their first independent steps. They can control their bodies to move purposefully, and they practice the movements that are most interesting to them.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Change position smoothly–move from lying down to sitting up with increasing ease.
• Stand up–pull himself upright by holding onto the edge of a table or chair.
• Go for a stroll–cruise around the edge of the table by concentrating on how his legs should move.
• Sit back down–plop down on his bottom from a standing position, in order to crawl across the room.
• Help with his care–participate in dressing by putting his arm out for a sleeve or his foot out for a shoe.

In what ways does this baby move around? (Include dates.)

How does the baby use his hands to do things?

Older babies use eye-hand coordination and their thumb and fingers in opposition to pick up, hold, and explore things. These skills, combined with greater mobility, enable them to grasp nearly everything they can see and reach.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Pick up little things–pick up tiny bits of lint from the rug and put them in his mouth.
• Take what he wants–grab the spoon as you are feeding him.
• Hold what you hold–hang onto the sponge you are using to wipe up the spill on his tray.
• Hold and release–pick up and drop blocks onto a tabletop over and over, practicing how to let go.
• Turn the pages–flip through his board book using his fingertips and thumb.

What does this baby do with his hands? (Include dates.)