Unit 1 You and Others 58
Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc.
Four to Eight Months
Infants’ muscles become stronger at four or fi ve months of age. They
may hold their heads up for a few minutes without support. They may
begin rolling over by themselves. If they have trouble rolling back over,
help them. They are still dependent on other people.
At this age, babies also start reacting more to people and their
environment. They enjoy being held in a sitting position so they can look
around. They smile more and may laugh out loud. See 2-7. Between seven
and ten months of age, they begin to babble. Most babies enjoy lying down
for a while, playing with their hands or reaching for their toes. They also
begin exploring their clothes, blankets, and other objects they can reach.
When placed in a sitting position, six-month-olds may sit alone. At
this age, they learn to tell the difference between familiar and strange faces.
Around six to eight months of age, infants often experience their fi rst anxiety.
Separation anxiety
is a fear that parents will leave and not return. Infants like
to be near their parents. They may become
upset around strangers. Infants may even
become upset when separated from parents
for a short amount of time. This anxiety
often fades by two years of age.
It should not take infants too long,
however, to become familiar with
new people. If people smile and talk
to babies, they may smile or respond
by babbling. Responding to babies’
babbling in a consistent manner will
encourage brain development.
Around seven or eight months of age,
babies seem to be in constant motion. This
is how they strengthen their muscles and
learn to control their actions. When placed
on the fl oor, they may kick their legs and
wave their arms. They may also begin to
move about and explore. They may kick
and push themselves on their stomachs to
get to objects beyond their reach. They may
also roll over to get to objects. They can no
longer be counted on to stay in one place.
Babies are curious at this age. They
enjoy seeing, holding, and touching
colorful objects. Toys of various sizes,
shapes, and textures interest them. They
like to bang objects together to make
noise. They may drop their toys on the
fl oor to see what happens. If their toys are
hidden, they will look for them.
Babies four to eight months of age start
interacting more with other people.
2-7