• Touch your baby's body parts as you sing this little rhyme and trace circles on her tummy when you finish:

• Repeat your baby's sounds back to him. Babies love to play imitation games and they learn a lot about language by doing this.

• Go silly - do something silly like put a soft toy on your head or get on the floor and pretend to be a cat - older babies love it when you are silly and you will be rewarded with those irresistible giggles. Blow raspberries on your baby's tummy, make silly noises...go on...no one is watching

• Once your baby can sit by herself she'll enjoy you rolling a ball back and forth to her. She'll try to bat it back to you - sometimes she'll even succeed!

• At around 8-9 months of age your baby will develop "object permanence". This is when your baby has the ability to remember that an object still exists when it's out of sight. This is a great time to play simple hide and seek games. Sit in front of your baby and using a baby blanket, cover up a toy. Ask her where has it gone? She'll gain a real sense of enjoyment out of uncovering it. You may have to role model it the first few times so she understands what is going to happen. Once your baby can crawl try hiding yourself partly behind a curtain or the couch. Let your baby see a part of you as this will motivate her to find you. Call out to your baby.  Let your baby crawl over to you and then listen as she squeals in delight as you let her chase you! 

• Other game for crawling babies is the homemade indoor obstacle course. Try using big empty cardboard boxes for tunnels, bringing the plastic play gym inside, use cushions, tape bubble wrap to the floor... the possibilities are endless - use your imagination (and your common sense - stay with your baby at all times).  Your baby will enjoy crawling in and out, up and around. This is a great activity for when you have been stuck inside due to snow or rain.

• Peek-a-boo is another hide and seek game. Use your hands or a light blanket to hide behind - read "Why Peek-a-boo Matters"

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