Month five sounds like it’s going to be fantastic! A developing sense of humor, the growing ability to show affection, potentially even hugs and kisses. What? I can’t wait! What does month five hold for play though?

1. Gravity Lab: Apparently Archie’s physicist grandpa has begun conducting what he’s dubbed “gravity lab” with Archie, in which Archie will be encouraged to drop his toy, thus learning the impact of gravity. Soon, he shouldn’t need much encouragement, as he will learn to delight in the effects of gravity, which is namely a beleagured parent leaning over to pick up the dropped toy. Although this will bring great joy to Archie, it also teaches another important lesson–object permanence. Archie has actually already begun looking for his dropped toys, realizing that although they’ve fallen out of view, they still continue to exist.

2. Sounds (Listening To): Archie’s ears should begin perking up this month as he comes to realize that objects can be the sources of noise. Recently, we’ve been having great fun with books involving animal noises, but I’m also wondering what else might tickle his listening fancy. For instance, my husband’s been using this app on the iPad with Archie–ABC Music by Peapod Labs. You choose a letter, the app comes up with an instrument, and you can click on a YouTube video of that instrument. It has all sorts of noisemaking machines you never even knew existed, like nose flutes or agogo bells.

3. Sounds (Making Of): When Archie begins to realize where noises come from, he will also realize his own ability to make noise with objects and the banging will begin! I know that most musical instrument toys are rated. 1 year +, but I wonder if he wouldn’t enjoy a little drum or piano, just something a little bit more advanced than a rattle. I’m not expecting beautiful music or anything, just amusement with his own ability to produce noise. I’m noticing that there are a lot of musical activity tables out there for the 6+ month crowd. They’re pretty ugly, but maybe I’ll see if it seems like an appropriate purchase next month!