Activities for a 4-month-old: Fostering baby’s development
When your baby babbles, talk to them as if they really know what you’re saying.
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It doesn’t take much to make your baby happy these days. (And a flash of that toothless grin makes you feel like just maybe you’ve got this whole parenting thing down!) At 4 months, your little one is continuing to discover their world. They may start rolling, putting everything in their mouth and playing that “game” of throwing toys onto the floor for you pick up at least 35 times (consider it an impromptu workout).
Related: 4-month-old baby milestones
Sensory activities for 4-month-old babies
Tovah Klein, PhD, director of the Barnard College Center for Toddler Development and author of “How Toddlers Thrive,” has simple tips for helping your baby learn, laugh and grow.
1. Nursery rhymes
You’ll be amazed at what you remember from your own childhood—and you’ll be setting the stage for helping to cue baby’s brain for musical melodies for decades.
2. Kitchen play
Give your baby safe objects from the kitchen to explore that aren’t toys, like a wooden spoon, or a silicone container to hold, mouth and look at.
3. Extra snuggles
Remember, you can’t spoil your baby. Holding and comforting a baby when they cry makes them feel loved, not spoiled. Your baby counts on you soothe them, feed them (only if they are truly hungry), and figure out what they need.
Related: Sleep like a baby: Your expert guide to 12 months of rest
Developmental activities for 4-month-old babies
To encourage your baby’s new cognitive and motor skills, try the following 4-month-old developmental activities.
1. Tell baby what you’re doing
When your baby babbles, talk to them as if they really know what you’re saying. The more you talk to your baby, the more language they hear, and the better they learn. (They also love to hear your voice more than anything else!) Tell them what you’re doing. “I have a ball and you are looking at it. Do you see the ball?”
Related: Why you should be talking to your baby—even if they can’t respond
2. Toys at tummy time
Put your baby on their tummy in a safe spot with toys nearby to look at and reach for. This gets their muscles ready for sitting and crawling. Be sure to sit with them while they play (you’re still the best play partner and audience).
Soon, they may be able to get up on her hands and knees and rock back and forth, and begin to move objects from one hand to the other.
Related: The surprising way tummy time as a baby helps preschoolers
3. Real reflections
Babies love to see themselves! They’ll smile and even laugh as you point out the baby in the mirror (they don’t yet know it’s their own reflection). Tell them, “See the baby? Hi sweet baby.” Point to their nose, mouth, ears, and name each body part.
Related: Bringing baby to day-care? 8 ways to ease the transition
Things to do with a 4-month-old
From the play mat to real-world outings, child development psychologist Dr. Holly Ruhl has week-by-week tips for making the most of month four.
Week 1: Hello, me
Baby is getting a stronger sense of self these days, noticing that they can move their body in different ways to get what they want. Playing songs and physical games such as “Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” can be a fun way to keep engaging baby in learning about themselves. We also love “Open, Shut Them” and other singable rhymes with coordinating movements for babies to copy and delight in. So fun!
Week 2: Dance party
Soaring through the air (while safe in your arms) is a great way to teach baby about moving through space. Turn up the tunes (pop on your favorite playlist, mama, so you can really get into it) and have a dance party. Twirling around and moving your hips while carrying baby or babywearing is a thrilling way for them to develop muscle tone, rhythm foundations and spatial awareness.
Week 3: Expand their world
If you haven’t yet signed up for baby storytime at the library or got a playdate under your belt quite yet, now’s the time. Your tiny tot is ready to soak up more social outings.
Week 4: Get the ball rolling
Exercise baby’s sense of hand-eye coordination by helping them roll a ball across the room. This also shows the foundations of cause and effect. What happens if you gently kick the ball? What happens if you push it softly? Your lovebug may not be able to fully participate in a game of catch just yet, but they’ll be amazed just by watching the action.
Related: 12 baby memory books you’ll actually fill out
Our favorite products for 4-month-olds
Look ahead: Activities for an 5-month-old: Fostering baby’s development
A version of this story was originally published on Nov. 24, 2015. It has been updated.
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