Though your baby is probably still a few months away from sitting up or crawling, there are activities you can do now that help prepare him or her for those achievements down the line.
Appropriate for:
4 to 7 months
Skills developed:
Motor, balance
What you'll need:
No equipment necessary
Help your baby start to develop the skills needed to move with a few easy exercises. For sitting, improve stability by propping your baby upright with his or her knees out and heels near his or her bottom (your baby's legs will form a diamond). Expect some tipping, especially at first, but encourage your baby's efforts. For crawling, place your baby tummy-down and press the palms of your hands against the soles of his or her feet. As your baby pushes against your hands (perhaps by accident at first), he or she will move forward – and may even "get" that he or she is controlling the movement.