Babies who have learned to sit will usually reach towards toys and other interesting objects that are within easy reach.  

Infants with developmental delay, or who are at risk for cerebral palsy may be slow to reach for toys. Babies with hemiplegia (unilateral cerebral palsy) use the affected (hemi) hand a lot less than the non-affected hand.  

These activities will encourage your baby to reach for toys and once the hand has made contact the will grasp, feel  or push it. 

Babies are particularly motivated to reach for toys that are new  and different, so it is helpful to have several different toys at hand to encourage repeated reach, touch, grasp, push or pull actions. 

How to encourage your baby to reach with their hemi hand 

Let your baby sit on the floor next to a step or in a feeding chair with a tray.

Start by encouraging your baby to rest the hemi hand on the step or table top. This lifts the arm up at the shoulder and makes it easier to initiate reaching. 

If the baby's balance is still a precarious, provide some support around the hips and lower back. 

Place a  toy within easy reach.

Draw attention to the toy by moving,touching, or shaking it. Wait for your baby to respond - give them time. 

If your baby is slow to respond, touch or move the toy again and talk about it.  You can also move the toy closer to the baby's hand. 

If your baby is still not interested, try another toy. 

Toys and games to encourage reaching

Complex toys with bits that can be moved 

Have a few toys that are colorful and have bits that can be moved. Show your baby how the arms, legs, tags and other loose bits can be moved.

Hold or place the toy within easy reach.  

Draw your baby's attention to the toy, look at it, jiggle the moveable bits and talk about it. 

Allow your child time to respond. Watch what they do and how they play with the toy.  Remember that there is no right way for a child to play with a toy. 

Soft toys that are easy to grasp and move 
Small plush animals with moveable will often catch baby's attention. They can easily be picked up opening the hand over the toy and then bending the fingers to grasp it. 

If your child picks up the toy, encourage them to visually inspect the it. You can do this by looking at the toy, touching it and talking about it. 

Balls can be knocked so that they roll away

Place one or more balls within easy reach of  your baby. Position two or three balls within easy reaching distance.
Show the baby how you can make the ball move by swiping it. 
If your baby is sitting in a feeding chair with a tray, show them how you can knock the ball off the tray. 

Knocking over bottles or tubes 

For these games I use drinks bottles or tubes standing upright  with a ball balanced on top.
Partially fill the bottles with water - this creates interesting effects when you knock the bottle over. 

► Put one or more bottles within easy reach of your child.

► Show them how you knock a bottle over. 

► Encourage your child to knock the bottles over. Then straighten them up again, putting the bottles in slightly different places to encourage reaching in different directions. 

► You can play the same game using cardboard tubes.  Put the tube upright and balance a ball on top. Different ball will produce different noises when the tube is knocked over. 

Reaching to catch a moving hand

Sit opposite your baby and place your hand close to their hand. 

Scratch to surface to make a noise and attract your baby's attention. Then wriggle your fingers and move your hand closer to the baby's hand.

Baby's are most often very interested in moving hands and will watch them carefully and move the catch them.