Bathtime Activity: 8-12 Months

Your baby should have a good understanding of cause and effect by 6 months or so. She will love batting the water with her hands and making big splashes. When it's bathtime, give her a few simple bathtime toys or soft plastic books to play with in the tub. She may learn that a rubber duckie filled with water will squirt out if she squeezes it or she might see that a little boat filled with water will sink when she fills it up! You can also completely hide one of her toys under a washcloth and see if she will pick up the washcloth to find it. As you bathe her, invent fun songs to sing to go along with what you're doing.

Possible Intervention Strategies & Supports

• Encourage social routines with toys in the bathtub by saying "hello" and "goodbye" to toys as you bring them out to play or put them away.

• Help your baby with answering "where" questions by pointing to items as you ask questions such as, "Where is the duck?"

• Bathtub paints can be fun to introduce at this age and can be used to help encourage your baby to explore her own body. Have her touch, rub, and/or pat the paint on her legs, arms, knees, elbows, tummy, etc. Try making your own paints at home, such as those shown in the image to the right, by clicking here for an easy and wallet-friendly recipe!

Tips

You can usually stop using an infant bathing seat by 8 months of age or so. However, you will have to be extra watchful, as your baby will learn to pull to a standing position and may even start walking during this stage of development. Make sure you're watching her closely while she is in the tub, and most definitely never leave the room. If you've forgotten to get a towel or anything else necessary for bathing, it is always better to carry a wet, dripping baby with you to retrieve it than to leave her alone in the tub!

Family Handout

Click here to download an editable one-page handout of this age range's bathtime activity, interventions, and tips.