Between 7 and 9 months, babies begin showing signs of independence:
- Physical milestones: Crawling, sitting unaided, and possibly pulling up to stand.
- Cognitive milestones: Object permanence develops, making games like peek-a-boo enjoyable.
- Social milestones: Babbling with more complex sounds and recognizing their name.
This stage is marked by rapid exploration and curiosity as babies discover their newfound abilities.