Appropriate Learning Activities for Your 11-month-old Baby

An 11-month-old is often an adventurous, wandering, and wobbly toddler. They are full of curiosity and want to explore everything alone. In most cases, they only need a few simple toys to enjoy themselves. Still, parents should consider being proactive at this stage and spend a lot of quality time with their little ones. This can enhance your baby’s developmental skills and involve them in some activities that are age-appropriate.

Developments You Might See in Your Baby

• Your baby might try to stand up. Often, they are going to support themselves with various pieces of furniture and take some steps by themselves.
• Babies at this age like to experiment with feeding themselves, drinking from cups, and using cutlery.
• Flavors are new and exciting to your baby. Their sense of taste has developed a lot by now.
• Babies at this age may have specific likes and dislikes. Often, they throw a temper tantrum when they don’t get their way.
• Many times, babies at this age try talking and might be able to say mama, dada, or no.

Learning Activities to Try with Your 11-month-old Baby

With so many other things happening, it is easier to have a quick list of activities that you and your baby can do:

1. Food Faces

Babies naturally like to play with their food. Put meal-time to better use by showing them various patterns. This can help your baby recognize different patterns and promotes hand-eye coordination.

While you’re preparing food for your baby, select things they can pick up easily. Ideas can include peas, sweetcorn, cherry tomatoes cut in half, noodles, cooked and cubed carrots, or grated cheese.

Add one food to different child-safe bowls and put them in front of your little one. Encourage them to take some of the foods and help them design a face. For example, use a cherry tomato half for the nose, noodles or cheese as hair, carrots as eyes. Consider guiding your baby’s hands to create the face, and then your baby can munch on it.

2. Trampoline

Older babies are very energetic and like to bounce. This is actually helpful because it helps them build up their body strength and use some of that energy, so they are tired enough for naptime or bedtime. It can also help them stand and walk later.

You’re going to need a bouncy mattress and enough floor space. Have your baby stand in the center while supporting them with the hands. Allow them to bounce off the mattress by lifting your baby and then helping them land on the bed. If your little one is already walking, they could bounce by themselves. Just keep them stable by holding their hands and let them go!

3. Block Stacking

Arranging some building blocks is a great way to show your baby a variety of developmental skills. They are going to learn fine motor skills, thinking, and concentration.

Help your little one build a block tower and then watch as they knock it down. As they learn the process, you can both take turns building and then let your baby knock it all down again.

4. The Tube Tunnel

When your baby can hold items correctly, they might like playing with a ball. This can help them judge the cause and effect of actions, as well as improve fine motor skills. You’re going to require some cardboard rolls (such as from paper towels) and small balls.

The cardboard roll should be at an angle. Then, put the ball inside and let it roll to the bottom, making sure that your baby is watching. They are sure to get excited about the ball coming out the other end. Once they grasp the concept, you can let them try to put the ball into the roll themselves.

5. Musical Rhymes

There are many catchy songs and poems that can entertain your baby, but they can also help teach a variety of skills. These include rhythm, motor skills, music, and language. You’re going to need some nursery rhymes, such as on a CD or just memorize them and repeat them.

Depending on the stage at which your baby is, you can sing/play the CD and do the actions yourself or help your baby perform them. Your baby may also try to sing and is going to like the hand/body movements.

6. The Little Steamroller

This is an amusing game that can help you bond well while providing a great learning experience. It develops their gross motor skills and requires a partner.

Lie down on the floor and have your partner do the same, but a little bit away from you. Allow your little one to crawl all over you and then your partner.

7. Crack the Nut

If you want to give your baby a workout, this activity might be ideal. Plus, it is going to develop their gross motor skills. However, you’re going to need help with this one. You and your partner should sit back-to-back. Then, have your baby try to get between you both. It’s possible that you are going to need to show your little one how to play. To do this, you and your baby can sit back-to-back while your partner tries to get between you two.

8. Climbing the Cushions

Toddlers at age 11-months are often excited about climbing things. Therefore, it’s bound to be entertaining and can help them develop their gross motor skills. Arrange cushions or pillows in a way to create a mini obstacle course. Let them crawl all around them. It’s also possible to stack them on top of each other and letting your little one climb high.

Conclusion

At 11 months old, you and your baby can have so much fun together. You can teach them, help them develop properly, and just play. Get down on the floor with your little one and do the activities with them. It’s a great chance to bond. Just make sure that your baby is comfortable and happy during these ‘games.’

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