11-Dropping and Passing Toys: The Beginning of "Intentional Manipulation" - 3 Types of Play and Developmental Milestones
Introduction: The Baby's "Hands" Begin to Speak
In the previous article, we introduced how the baby's body gathers toward the "center," allowing
both hands, both feet, and the face to begin meeting in the middle.
And this time, the baby finally begins actions with their own intent.
What develops during this period is:
Not just "grasping" objects, but "passing" and "dropping" them
Using both hands selectively with their own intent
Touching and tapping things they see, which is the integration of vision and touch
This is truly the beginning of "intentional manipulation." This time, we will explain these developmental steps concretely from three perspectives.
1 | Palms "facing up": The beginning of forearm supination
▶︎ What is forearm supination?
This is the movement of turning the palm upward by opening the forearm from the elbow.
It is a casual movement for adults, but for a baby, it is the moment the "door to operability" opens.
This is the initial stage of the movement where the forearm turns outward.
This movement will greatly influence the period when they start holding spoons and chopsticks. It is a small movement, but it becomes a very important one.
Please play by passing toys back and forth a lot.
Through this supination movement, the following operations become possible:
Passing objects
Passing objects between both hands
Checking the weight and texture of soft objects like bead bags
By seeing their palms, the baby becomes more aware that "it is my own hand that is touching this."
The link between vision and touch is strengthened, and they begin to experience the relationship between themselves and the world through "manipulation."
▶︎ Recommended play: "Passing and returning" a cloth bag containing beads
Preparation:
A palm-sized cloth bag containing beads (one that makes a sound when squeezed is also good)
A seated position or on the lap where the parent's hands and the baby's hands can face each other directly
How to play:
The adult offers the toy saying, "Here you go."
The baby grasps it.
Let them hold it for a moment (some children will learn to switch hands).
Take it back while saying, "Thank you."
By repeating this many times,
the ability to adjust hand orientation,
the interaction of giving and returning (joint attention),
and the causal understanding that "my actions make the other person move"
will be nurtured little by little.
2 | Grasping → Dropping: The beginning of release starts with "repetition"
▶︎ Why is "dropping" important?
During this period, many babies become obsessed with "dropping toys."
This is not just mischief.
The precise control of "letting go" of what they were holding,
the causal understanding that "I let go of my hand → the object fell,"
and the development of attention toward the sound or reaction of the fall.
This repetition of "grasping → dropping" is truly a"discovery experience"that"I am moving the world."
▶︎ Recommended setup
Toys that fit in the baby's hand (rattles, rings, bean bags, etc.)
Place a cloth cushion underneath so that the sound is gentle even if they drop it.
The adult reacts right next to them ("It fell!", "It made a clatter sound").
By setting up this environment, the baby can learn the link between cause and effect with peace of mind.
The key is to "hand it back to them once more."
As the adult repeats this, a sense of interaction (I did it ⇄ it came back)grows, which also becomes the foundation for language.
3 | Playing at the "Center of the Body": Integrating Seeing, Touching, and Moving Operations
▶︎ Shaking and Tapping with Both Hands: The "Beginning of Manipulation" is at the Center of the Body
Babies who have progressed in midline development will gradually start manipulating objects using both hands in front of their chest = the midline.
Holding a rattle with both hands and shaking it to make a sound
Tapping a desk or their body with both hands
Bringing their hands to their mouth or face while watching their movement
This period is when the matching of vision and touchdevelops rapidly.
For a baby, understanding that the "hand they are watching" and the "hand they are moving" are the same thingis a very important step in cognitive development.
▶︎ Play utilizing a mirror is effective!
We recommend manipulative play in front of a mirror.
In the baby's hands:
Shaking a rattle
Holding a soft stuffed animal
Having them hold a cloth that flutters with both hands
By seeing these through the mirror, the baby begins to notice the link between their own movements and visual movements.
"The hand that is moving is my hand."
Such small discoveries build the foundation for a sense of manipulation and self-awareness.
Incorporating self-recognition using a mirror is also very meaningful once the baby begins to be able to lie on their stomach or on their side.
In our home, we always kept a mirror nearby.
▼ The Benefits of "Mirror Training" from 0 Months: Parenting from the Perspective of Neuroscience
Summary: When "Hands Open," the World Opens Up
A baby's "hands" at this stage are not just tools, but a channel to connect with the world.
Forearm supination → Becoming able to pass objects
Grasping → Dropping → The emergence of intentional manipulation
Manipulation in front of the chest → Advancement in the integration of vision and touch
These will eventually lead to autonomous movements and learning, such as "holding a spoon by themselves," "grasping and manipulating objects," and "turning the pages of a picture book."
Next Preview: 12-Just Before Rolling Over! 5 Preparations to Support Your Baby's "Final Push"
Next time, we will have an article about the growth process just before rolling over.
・The movement of crossing legs from a side-lying position
・The movement of lifting the body with both hands
・The mini-bridge where they wiggle their bottom up
Let's follow along with the baby as they "test the world" through rolling over!
👉 Follow to make sure you don't miss the rest of the series!
◀︎ Previous Article: 10-Meeting in the "Middle": Important Growth Steps for Developing a Baby's "Body Midline"
▼ A List of Growth Sequences from 0 Months to Crawling and Sitting
▼ General Table of Contents in My Parenting Note
▼ Popular Articles -- Inside the 【Our Family's Real-Life Experience Story Magazine】