My First Reach

1. 1

   Place your baby on their tummy with a favorite toy nearby and sit facing them.

2. 2

   Set the toy just beyond easy reach and let your baby try different body positions to move closer.

3. 3

   If the first reach misses, pause and offer time for a second attempt.

4. 4

   If the toy remains too far away, slide it slightly closer and invite another reach.

5. 5

   Try toys with different shapes, such as a rolling ball and a block that stays in place, and notice whether your baby changes how they reach or grasp.

6. 6

   Across repeated attempts, your baby may use a head lift, turn, or body shift to close the distance.

What to notice

• Lifts or turns their body while trying to move closer to the toy Gross Motor
• Reaches repeatedly and grasps the toy Reasoning and Problem-Solving

Tips

• Adjust the toy’s distance and angle to your baby’s current ability, and respond warmly to each attempt.

Developmental benefits

• Movement: Lifting the head, turning, and reaching toward a toy gives your baby practice using large muscles to move closer to something they want.
• Cognitive: Changing body position when the toy is too far away gives your baby early experience responding to a simple distance problem.