Baby Development Milestones - 12 Months
Toys and other things to consider buying
Understanding Your Child's Milestones: What Most Children Do by 12 Months of Age
As your child approaches their first birthday, you'll witness an exciting array of developmental milestones. These milestones cover social/emotional, language/communication, cognitive, and physical development. Here's a comprehensive guide to what most children achieve by 12 months:
Social/Emotional Milestones
At this age, your child is becoming more interactive and socially aware. Some key social and emotional milestones include:
- Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake: Engaging in simple games demonstrates their growing social skills and ability to interact playfully.
Language/Communication Milestones
Your child's communication skills are rapidly developing. By 12 months, you can expect to see the following milestones:
- Waves “bye-bye”: This gesture indicates their understanding of social cues and their ability to communicate non-verbally.
- Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name: Using specific words to refer to parents shows their ability to associate words with people.
- Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it): Recognizing and responding to the word “no” demonstrates their growing comprehension and ability to follow simple instructions.
Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)
Cognitive development involves exploring, learning, and problem-solving. By 12 months, your child will exhibit several cognitive milestones, including:
- Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup: This action shows their ability to understand spatial relationships and manipulate objects.
- Looks for things they see you hide, like a toy under a blanket: Actively searching for hidden objects indicates their understanding of object permanence.
Movement/Physical Development Milestones
Physical development is crucial for your child's mobility and coordination. Here are some milestones to watch for:
- Pulls up to stand: This milestone demonstrates their growing strength and ability to support their weight.
- Walks, holding on to furniture: Also known as “cruising,” this behavior shows their progress towards independent walking.
- Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it: This action indicates their developing coordination and ability to drink from a cup.
- Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food: Using a pincer grasp demonstrates fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
What You Can Do for Your 12-Month-Old
As your baby's first teacher, you play a crucial role in their learning and brain development. Here are some simple and safe tips and activities to support your baby's growth. If you have any questions or need more ideas, consult with your baby's doctor and teachers.
- Teach your baby “wanted behaviors”: Demonstrate what to do and use positive reinforcement. For example, if your baby pulls the pet's tail, teach them to pet gently and reward them with hugs and kisses when they do it correctly.
- Talk or sing about daily activities: Narrate your actions or sing to your baby about what you're doing. For instance, say, "Mommy is washing your hands," or sing, "This is the way we wash our hands." This helps your baby learn language and understand routines.
- Build on your baby's attempts to communicate: Encourage language development by expanding on what your baby says. If they say “ta,” respond with “Yes, a truck,” or if they say “truck,” reply with “Yes, that’s a big, blue truck.” This reinforces their efforts and helps them learn new words.
Your involvement can make a significant impact on your baby's development. Enjoy these precious moments and watch your baby thrive. For personalized advice or additional ideas, don't hesitate to reach out to your baby's healthcare providers.
TOYS and OTHER THINGS TO CONSIDER BUYING
At twelve months old, babies are highly curious and eager to explore their surroundings. Here are some toy recommendations that can support their development and keep them engaged:
Motor Skill Toys
- Ride-on toys: Encourage walking and balance as your baby pushes or rides on them.
- Push toys: Help improve balance and coordination while encouraging walking.
- Stacking rings and cups: Develop hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills.
- Balls: Soft, lightweight balls for rolling and throwing help develop gross motor skills.
- Crawl tunnels: Encourage crawling and exploring, promoting physical activity and coordination.
Sensory Toys
- Soft blocks: Easy to grasp and stack, promoting sensory exploration and motor skills.
- Texture toys: Toys with different textures stimulate the sense of touch and curiosity.
- Teething toys: Safe and chewy toys that babies can explore with their mouths.
- Bath toys: Make bath time fun and engaging while promoting fine motor skills and sensory exploration.
Cognitive Development Toys
- Shape sorters: Encourage problem-solving skills and hand-eye coordination.
- Stacking and Nesting toys: Toys that stack or fit inside one another help babies understand spatial relationships.
- Cause and effect toys: Toys that respond to actions (e.g., lights, sounds) help babies understand cause and effect.
Interactive Toys
- Interactive books: Books with textures, flaps, and sounds encourage language development and sensory exploration.
- Musical toys: Instruments or toys that play music and sounds help develop auditory skills and rhythm.
- Activity centers: Multi-functional toys with buttons, levers, and sounds that keep babies engaged and stimulate various skills.
- Busy boards: Boards with different activities like switches, knobs, and buttons for hands-on exploration.
- Pretend play sets: Simple kitchen sets, toolsets, or play food encourage imaginative play.
Safety is paramount when selecting toys. Always choose age-appropriate toys that are free from small parts, sharp edges, and toxic materials. Regularly inspect toys for wear and tear to ensure they remain safe for your little one.
Enjoy watching your baby explore, learn, and develop with these engaging toys! If you need more personalized recommendations, feel free to ask.
Conclusion
These milestones provide a general overview of what most children achieve by 12 months, but it's important to remember that every child is unique. Some may reach these milestones earlier or later than others, and that's perfectly normal. If you have any concerns about your child's development, consult with your child's doctor for personalized guidance and reassurance.
Witnessing your child reach new milestones is a testament to their incredible growth and development. Celebrate these moments and enjoy the journey as your child continues to learn and explore the world around them.
Useful Websites
https://www.marchofdimes.org/find-support/topics/parenthood/developmental-milestones-baby
https://www.cdc.gov/ncbddd/actearly/milestones/index.html
https://www.michigan.gov/mikidsmatter/parents/infant/milestones
https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/22063-baby-development-milestones-safety