Development at 5 Months
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Activity 1
Age Appropriate Fine Motor Development
Shows Palmer Grasp
I am learning to use my little hand muscles! Place me in a stable seated position, offer me a small object which I can hold in my hand and observe my grasp. When I first learn to grasp a small object, I may use only my last two fingers to grip the object against my palm. With time, I will use all my fingers to grip the object against my palm (the palmer grasp). Please make sure both my hands get a chance at this. I usually develop this skill between 4 and 6 months.
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Steps
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Place your child in a stable seated position.
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Offer a small object for him to hold in his hands.
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Observe his grasp. He should use his fingers (not including the thumb) to grip the object against his palm.
Feedback
Your child is developing his fine motor (hand and fingers) skills at this stage. He's learning to refine his control of his hands. Very soon you may find you need to be careful to monitor what he picks up to put in his mouth! Do look at the suggested activities for more ideas.
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Place toys and objects of different textures, shapes and sizes in your child's hands for him to explore. This will help develop his hand awareness and hand grasp. Always ensure close supervision when using small objects that may be swallowed.
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Place your child in a position he enjoys playing in when he is alert and active. Give him an attractive toy or a safe object that he can grasp easily.
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Whenever you are feeding your child, help him bring his hands to hold the bottle. This will help develop his hand awareness.
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Attach some suspension toys across your child's infant seat or stroller so that he has plenty of opportunities to reach and grasp for toys whenever he is seated. Ensure that you place the toys just within his reach.
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Place a baby play gym over your child when he is lying on his back to encourage him to reach out and play with his hands.
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Activity 2
Age Appropriate Gross Motor Development
Shows Head and Upper Trunk Control When Held in Sitting
 I am learning to control my head as well as my upper body! Place me on your lap and hold me around my tummy, just below my ribs. Observe if I am able to hold my upper body steady and turn my head from side to side in that position. I may be a little wobbly but I will get stronger as I do this more often. I usually develop this ability between 4 and 6 months. |
Steps
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Sit your child on your lap and hold him around his tummy, just below the ribs.
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Do not lean his head or body on any support.
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Observe if he can hold his upper body steady as well as turn his head from side to side.
Feedback
Your child is developing good active head and upper trunk control in the upright position in this activity. Your baby's ability to control his head and upper trunk positions will help him to sit up independently very soon. You may also look at the suggested activities to develop this skill.
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Provide your child with many opportunities to strengthen his head and upper trunk control by holding him around his tummy (rather than around his upper chest) whenever you are sitting down with him.
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Help strengthen your child's front neck muscles using the following activities.
With your child lying on his back, hold him around his elbows as you pull him up to sit. If he can hold his head in line with his body, practice pulling him up while holding onto his elbows. As his head control improves, gradually hold his hands as you pull him up from lying to sitting. If your child is still unable to hold his head in line with his body when you are pulling from his elbows, hold him from his shoulders and repeat the movement. It is easier for him in this position. Gradually move down to holding his elbows, then hands, as his head control improves. It may be easier for your child if you pull him up from an inclined position. A steeper incline will be easier for him than a more gradual one. Practice frequently as an exercise. Gradually decrease the degree of incline as his head control improves.
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Help your child strengthen his neck and upper back muscles.
While he is lying on his tummy, place colorful and noisy toys in front of him to encourage him to lift his head and upper chest up. Lie him on his tummy on an elevated incline (e.g. a cushion/pillow or mummy's chest when mummy is in a semi-reclined position), which may help him lift his head and upper chest better. Bouncing him while he is lying on his tummy on the therapy ball (gym ball) may help stimulate him to push down on his hands and lift his head and upper chest up. Practice frequently but do not bounce him within an hour after a meal and stop for a rest after 3 minutes of bouncing
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