6 months

Just because your child is not performing everything at the selected times does not mean there is something wrong. Some children take a little bit longer to be able to do things on their own. Your child requires stimulation and opportunity to learn and develop. For guidance on age appropriate activities please look at play and ideas.

Child developmental stages

6 months

• I can lift my head and catch my toes.
• When I am on my tummy I am starting to push up onto on my arms and reach for toys.
• Tummy time helps me get strong.
• I am starting to roll.
• My legs are getting stronger when I kick.
• I can pass toys from hand to hand.
• I like to put everything into my mouth.
• When you give me a rattle I like to shake it.
• I make noises to get your attention.
• I have fun saying sounds like bababa
• I recognise your voice.
• When you sit me on your knee I can hold my head steady and look around.
• I like to drink water from a closed cup.

If you are concerned about how your child is doing any of the above activities please ask your health visitor for advice and guidance.

Areas for concern at 6 months

The guide below indicates when you should seek further advice if your child is not making progress towards their age specific targets. Please seek further advice from your health visitor or GP.

If your baby –

• Cannot lift their head off the floor when they are on their tummy
• Cannot hold their head steady when held in a sitting position.
• If they use one hand more than the other or if they favour one side
• Holds their arms or legs stiffly or has difficulty moving them about
• Cannot get their hands or toys/objects to their mouth
• Doesn’t look around to see who is speaking
• They don’t make noises back to you when you talk to them.
• Makes very few noises apart from crying
• Rarely follows a moving object with their eyes
• Does not hold and play with a rattle.
• Has feeding problems

Play ideas

A better start in life: Play Ideas 3 to 6 months
Produced by the Paediatric Occupational Therapy Dept. Royal Free London