Toy Talk Time
Join your baby as they play. Watch what interests them, describe what they are doing, and respond to their looks, movements, and sounds so the conversation can keep going.
- 9 months
- Quick prep
- At home
- About 5 minutes
Developmental benefits
- Language：Starting with what your baby is doing, pausing for a response, and changing the play when their interest shifts creates an ongoing back-and-forth exchange.
- Movement：Watching you demonstrate different parts of a toy and trying each action gives your baby practice pulling, pressing, turning, and using other small hand movements.
Preparation
What You’ll Need
- 1
A pull-and-play activity toy
Step 1
Start by Watching
When your baby is playing with the toy, watch what they do and describe it to begin a conversation. If they pause or look toward you, join the play and demonstrate another part of the toy. Keep talking as you explore it together.
What to notice
- Looks toward the toy as you talk and demonstrate a new action
Attending and Understanding - Lifts the toy and shows it to you
Initiative and Curiosity
Tips
- At nine months, your baby may respond to familiar short phrases such as “Look at Mom” or “Clap your hands” by turning, looking, or making a sound.
- Follow your baby’s attention to keep the topic interesting: talk about what they see and describe what they do.
Step 2
Babble Back and Forth
If your baby babbles or reaches toward the toy, hand it to them so they can try the new action. When they begin pressing or exploring, join in again and continue the back-and-forth conversation.
What to notice
- Presses a button on the toy with one finger
Fine Motor - Looks toward you, reaches, or makes a sound to ask for the toy
Communicating and Speaking
Tips
- Pause after you speak. Your baby may answer with a look, movement, or sound.
- When your baby babbles to you, respond right away: “Oh, do you want this?” Then keep the exchange going.
- Use simple words for the action you see and invite another try. If your baby presses a button, say, “You pressed it. Want to press this one too?”
Step 3
Keep Following Their Interest
When your baby is enjoying the activity and making lots of sounds, stay with that topic. If they lose interest, show them a different part of the toy and begin a new way to play so the interaction can continue.
What to notice
- Babbles in response while you talk Communicating and Speaking
- Plays more energetically after hearing your encouragement
Sense of Identity and Belonging
Tips
- Make the turn-taking rhythm clear: “Your turn, my turn.” This helps your baby experience how a conversation moves back and forth.
- Turning away or pushing the toy aside may mean your baby is finished with that action. Try a different part of the toy.
- Demonstrate actions such as pulling, pressing, and turning to support skills related to #PMP-FiM.
Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026