Reach and Bat Dangle

A single interesting object is hung just within your baby's reach while they lie on their back, so they can aim, reach, and bat at it on their own timeline. Self-led practice of reaching and hitting a target.

How to do it

1. Lay your baby on their back on a firm, flat surface in a calm, alert moment.
2. Securely hang one interesting, lightweight object above their chest, low enough that an outstretched arm can just reach it. Use a stable frame or play gym, not anything that could fall.
3. Step back and let your baby look, aim, and swipe. Do not move the object for them or guide their hand.
4. Watch as they gradually connect a reach with a touch; celebrate softly when they make contact but let them keep leading.
5. Adjust the height if it is clearly too high or too low, so contact is possible but takes effort.
6. Take it down when your baby tires or fusses, and never leave them alone with a hanging object.

What you need

• Play gym
• Hanging object
• Flat surface

Make it yours

Younger (3-4 months): Hang the object right at the fingertips so the earliest swipes make contact; keep sessions short. Older (6 months and up): Offer it during supported sitting or let them grasp and pull the object (still securely attached) as well as bat it. No play gym: An object safely secured to a low, stable structure works, as long as there are no reachable cords or strings and nothing can fall.