What should a child be able to do in 8 months?
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
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A whole new world opens up to the child and his parents when the baby turns 8 months old. Many children at this age begin to learn to crawl. They will have many strokes and falls, as the child becomes more mobile, but you can make his life safer if you do not leave the child alone. What should a child be able to do in 8 months?
Height and weight of the child in 8 months
At 8 months the child's height reaches almost 70-72 cm. Its weight also gradually increases to 8.5-9.5 kg. If the child is more or less. Do not worry: the development of each child individually. At 8 months, the circumference of the child's head reaches about 45.4 cm, and the circumference of his chest is 46 to 47.2 cm.
Please note that these are approximate figures. Compared with the growth when the child was born, within a month to 8 months he should gain from 1.5 to 2 cm. And the weight in the range of 7 to 8 months the child types from 550 to 600 grams.
If the growth of the baby is poorly typed or the weight of the child is greatly reduced, consult a doctor: this may be a sign of hidden diseases.
Relationships with strangers
Your child may begin to be shy of strangers or crying if you leave him with a nanny. This is the beginning of the separation of the child from the mother, which the kid takes very seriously. Over time, he learns that when mom leaves him, she will definitely come back again.
Will the child crawl at 8 months?
Now that the child is eight months old, he can crawl. He can also turn over from the back to his tummy and vice versa, and also try to crawl on all fours.
Read also: How to teach a child to crawl?
Your child can try standing, holding on to furniture or a manege. If you put the child next to the sofa, he can already use it to support himself when standing. Be close by for additional support if the child starts to swing. There comes a time of blows and falls. Do not worry: they are an integral part of childhood.
You can skip a bruise or two with the bumps and crying of a child, but try to have fun, giving him the opportunity to explore his surroundings and develop physical skills. It is clear that you want to protect your child from pain. But you need to give him the opportunity to grow and learn.
Now that your child is moving a lot, you need to make every effort to make your home safe for your baby. For example, you must provide (or remove) any fragile or shaky objects so that they do not fall on your child.
Can a child swallow small items in 8 months?
Of course. He can take objects with two fingers - large and index. This is a delicate maneuver that allows you to pick up small toys or pieces of food, such as pancakes, and pull them into your mouth. Just make sure that in the child's access area there are no toys with small parts, because of which he can suffocate.
The child can also hold objects in a closed cam. He has already learned to control it when he wants to squeeze and unclench his fist. Therefore, the child can actively throw objects, to his joy and your chagrin. Your child will enjoy the fact that the object has fallen, and use the index finger to show it.
Can a child show more emotions in 8 months?
Yes, now your child's emotions are even more vivid, he can express himself even better. He can perform unusual earlier tricks, for example, clapping his hands when excited, or sending an air kiss to familiar people, if he is happy to see them, and wave his hand goodbye.
Your child learns to evaluate and imitate moods, and now he can show the first signs of empathy. For example, if he sees that another child is crying, he can look at him and start crying in response
Can I leave a child in 8 months alone in his room?
It is perfectly normal for a child to show signs when he is tired or left alone. When you are out of sight, not with him, he may be upset and begin to cry.
To help your child get used to the idea that mom and dad can leave, but will definitely return, you can try playing a small game with a familiar toy. Hide the bear or doll under the blanket for a short time, and then show it to the baby. This will help him to understand that although he can not see something or someone, this object or person still exists.
Although it is still difficult for a child to understand the parting with his mother and father, it is important to let him experience these emotions. Every time you leave your child and come back, you prove to him that you always come back. It will also help him develop confidence in people.
When you leave your child in a nursery or playroom, kiss and hug him and tell him that you will definitely come back.
If the child is frightened or burst into tears, it will take time to calm him down and calm himself. For a mother it can be very difficult not to cry when he starts to cry. Try to keep from crying, because it will further upset your child. If you still can not contain your emotions, let the child reassure someone else. For example, a dad or a grandfather.
If your child is worried and crying at night, hug him, kiss and read a fairy tale before putting him to bed again. You can even make him a massage so that the child feels the comfort of your touch.
Some children sleep well apart from their parents, and some do not. It depends on their temperament. If it takes time to calm a child, do not worry and be firm: it may not be such a fast process. You know your child better than anyone else, so follow your instincts. Within a month or two, with your hardness and consistency, the child will learn to sleep in his crib himself.
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Study of objects and space in 8 months
Your child at 8 months passionately likes to explore objects in a variety of ways. He shakes, beats them, throws them and chews them. In this case, the child will express his joy with laughter, smiles, squeals and even stomping.
Your child loves to watch the toy fall, and you rush to pick it up. Please note that your eight-month-old does not try to annoy you. He simply considers it an interesting sight and, naturally, wants to see him again and again!
Your child at 8 months already understands that the objects are connected with each other. For example, he understands that small things can fit inside large (example - a nesting doll). He will easily find what you hide, and can look at those items that you call.
The developing vision of your child also helps his cognitive skills. He can recognize people and familiar objects around the room. So, if he notices what takes his imagination, he can show on this subject and coo, walk, pronounce individual syllables to show his admiration, and crawl to this object if he can.
The child at 8 months already knows how much. And he will be able to do even more if his parents constantly pay him attention and support.