A Little Reaching Challenge

Place a toy where your baby needs to stretch a little and wait to see whether they initiate the reach.

Focus

Steps

1
Place your baby on a soft mat with a favorite toy just far enough away to require some effort.
2
Stay nearby and let your baby decide when and how to reach.
3
They may watch first, change their angle, or try several times. Give the attempt time before stepping in.
4
Describe the action quietly: “You see it in front of you. How will you reach it?”
5
If your baby looks at you, respond with a smile or a short cue: “Almost there.”
6
When they reach the toy, name the success: “You got it yourself.” Your response shows that you noticed their effort.

Looks up at you as if checking your response to their attempt Initiative and Curiosity
Twists their body and reaches forward Gross Motor

Each time your baby reaches, changes the angle, and tries again, they are actively acting on the world around them—an important sign of growing initiative.

Cognitive: Placing a favorite toy just out of reach and responding warmly to each attempt encourages your baby to initiate exploration and keep trying.
Movement: Reaching forward and adjusting their body position gives your baby practice using large muscles to move toward an object.

Better Parenting Content Team · Updated September 11, 2026