By the time your infant is 4 months old, he or she has learned to recognize you and familiar caregivers, focus and pay attention to things and actively engage your attention. Your infant will learn to sit during this time, and be able to get a new perspective on the world. In the next few months, your child will start to explore the surroundings by reaching out for objects, grasping, and inspecting them.

It's important to continue to foster the learning process by engaging, responding, and encouraging your child as he or she develops a stronger body, a curious mind, and a feel for language. Provide opportunities for your child to practice and build on what he or she has learned. Offer age-appropriate toys and be sure that your baby has a safe environment to explore.

What is my Child Learning?

Exploring will be a big part of this stage.Your child will be drawn to colors, patterns and shapes of different objects, and toys. By reaching out and touching objects, your child will learn about touch, shape, and texture. Your baby's ability to reach and hold an object will mature over this period. Once he or she successfully grasps an object, chances are it will be brought into his or her mouth for further exploration. It's important to make sure that any objects that could be choking hazards - or dangerous to your baby in other ways - are out of reach, and even better, out of sight!

Though your baby's first words are still a couple of months away, your infant is learning a lot about language. He or she will begin to be able to distinguish between different sounds even though he or she doesn't understand what the words mean. By the end of this period your baby will recognize and respond to his or her own name!

The baby will also be learn how to use the voice. Now cooing sounds may be mixed with other consonants such as "ba" and "da," and evolve into babbling like  "bababababa" or "dadadadada" or "mamamama". When you talk to your infant, and respond to the sounds he or she is making, that you are helping to teach the social aspects of language and conversation.

Your baby will also begin to get a sense of object permanence, that something can exist, even when it's out of sight. That new knowledge will prompt your baby to search for an object that you have partially hidden. It will also prompt your baby to drop toys and other objects over the side of a crib or high chair to watch you retrieve them. By doing this, your child is learning that the object exists even after it's dropped out of sight. He or she is getting a sense of cause and effect, that idea that his or her action causes a reaction. As your child gets this concept down, he or she will look for more ways to make thing happen!

How Can I Encourage my Child to Learn?

Now's a good time to create a safe place for your infant to explore (with supervision), because by the end of seven months he or she will likely be rolling over, sitting, and reaching for everything. It's never to soon to child-proof your baby's play space, even if your baby is not getting around yet - your baby will be crawling, cruising, and walking before you know it.

Make your play space inviting and fun by providing age-appropriate toys in a variety of shapes, sizes, colors, and textures. Everyday objects, like wooden spoons, plastic containers, and cups also stimulate creativity and curiosity. Again, it's not so much the toy that's important, but the way that you use the toy to help your baby learn.

As your baby babbles, and explores how to use his or her voice, it's important to keep responding to that babbling. Reinforce the sounds by repeating them for your infant. Introduce new sounds and simple words and watch as your baby tries to imitate you.

If you haven't already, introduce books to your child during this time. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends reading to your child everyday, starting around 6 months of age. When you read to your infant, say the names of the objects, people, and animals as you point to them, and make the sounds of the animals and the objects in the book. Choose baby books with simple pictures and faces and books with lots of textures to feel, like Pat the Bunny. Also look for cloth, vinyl, and sturdy board books that won't rip and can withstand a little drooling and chewing.

Here are some other ideas for encouraging your 4 to 7 month old to learn and play:

• During tummy time, place a favorite toy or soft ball in front of the baby to reach for.
• Hide one of your baby's toys - but don't hide it very well - and encourage him or her to find it.
• Cover your face with your hands, then remove your hands and say: "Peekaboo, I see you!"
• Let your baby discover that his or her actions can make things happen. Provide toys that will move or make sounds when your infant manipulates them, such as baby musical instruments, busy boxes, or see-through toys that show motion.
• Sing your favorite nursery rhymes like "Baa, Baa Black Sheep" and "Hey Diddle Diddle".

Keep in mind that there's a wide range of what's normal for babies. Some babies develop slower, and some faster than others. If you are concerned about the way your baby is developing, it's a good idea to contact your child's doctor.

Updated and reviewed by: Mary L. Gavin, MD
Date reviewed: December 2005
Originally reviewed by: Steve Dowshen, MD