Exciting Milestones at 12 Months: Your Baby’s Journey into Walking

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Physical Development at 12 Months old

The anticipation is high as your 12-month-old might be ready to take those first independent steps any day now. While some babies start walking around nine or 10 months, the average age is around 13 months. When your little one begins to walk, you might notice her feet turning out, and she may walk on her tippy toes initially. These quirks usually correct themselves as she becomes more accustomed to being upright.

However, there’s no need to worry if your baby isn’t walking just yet. Many children take a few more months, and this is entirely normal. Some babies who excelled at crawling or bottom-shuffling might take a bit longer to transition to walking.

By now, your baby’s ability to pick up objects has become quite impressive. With a fine pincer grip, she can use her thumb and forefinger to grasp items as small as 5p pieces. This newfound skill comes with a need for heightened vigilance, as she explores the world around her and picks up anything she finds interesting.

Mealtimes are becoming more interactive, as your baby masters self-feeding using her forefinger and thumb. She may also experiment with a spoon, though the food-to-mouth ratio might not be perfect. Encourage her independence in feeding, but be prepared for a bit of mess as she enjoys exploring different textures.

As your baby gains more teeth, including molars, her chewing skills improve. This means she can tackle more textured foods, and she might even enjoy a piece of her first birthday cake.

At 12 months, your baby will have gone through significant growth, likely doubling or even tripling her weight since birth. Growth charts may show fluctuations due to increased mobility and growth spurts, but as long as she follows a general centile line, there’s usually nothing to worry about.

While milk is no longer a strict necessity, most babies continue to have one or more milk feeds into toddlerhood. If you’re breastfeeding, the World Health Organization recommends continuing to two years or more. For those transitioning to cow’s milk, it’s advisable to use full-fat milk until age two, served in a cup to prevent tooth decay.

Encouraging physical development at this stage involves supporting your baby as she takes steps and providing opportunities for walking around furniture. Placing a favorite toy slightly out of reach when she’s standing at the sofa can motivate her to take a few steps, holding onto the cushions for support.

Cognitive Development for 12 months Read here

Physical Activities for 12 months old

Your one-year-old is now more energetic and enjoys lively, physical play. Activities like bouncing her on your knee while playfully pretending to drop her bring laughter and delight. Engaging in nursery rhymes and classic favorites like “Incy Wincy Spider” adds to the fun.

While she appreciates boisterous play, your little one also finds joy in quieter activities. Books, particularly those featuring babies, capture her attention, and you might hear her saying ‘Baba’ with a hint of superiority when she spots one. She’s growing up fast and likes to assert her newfound independence.

 

Laughter is her response to observing people, especially children engaged in amusing actions like waving their arms or hopping around. Her motor skills are progressing, and she can now build towers with blocks, managing up to three before her preference for knocking them down takes over. Stacking objects and placing them in and out of containers remain favorite activities as she explores the relationships and interactions between various objects, enhancing her understanding of the world.

Toys for 12 Months old

  1. your child’s newfound ability to stand and walk.
  2. Stacking Toys: Blocks or cups that can be stacked and knocked down help develop fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
  3. Shape Sorters: Toys with different shapes that fit into corresponding holes can enhance problem-solving skills.
  4. Soft Books: Fabric or board books with simple pictures and textures are excellent for sensory exploration.
  5. Musical Instruments: Simple instruments like maracas or a small drum allow your child to explore different sounds and rhythms.
  6. Large Building Blocks: Soft, large building blocks are safe for little hands to grasp and stack, fostering creativity and motor skills.
  7. Nesting Cups: These cups can be stacked, nested, or used for pouring water during bath time, promoting spatial awareness.
  8. Art Supplies: Large, washable crayons or finger paints can be introduced for creative expression.
  9. Puzzles with Large Pieces: Simple puzzles with chunky pieces are great for developing problem-solving abilities.
  10. Play Tunnels: Tunnels encourage crawling and exploration, providing a fun space for your child to move around.

Books featuring babies, such as “Peepo!” by Janet and Allan Ahlberg or “Heads, Shoulders, Knees and Toes” by Annie Kubler, are engaging choices for your little one at this stage. Introduce chunky crayons for indoor creativity or chalks for outdoor artistic expression. Play tunnels and tents are excellent for encouraging crawling and toddling, providing a delightful space for her to ‘hide’ and explore.

Toys that involve pushing along the floor, such as a big truck or any wheeled item, promote mobility. As she engages with these toys, she can’t use both hands to crawl alongside, helping strengthen her legs and facilitating the transition from crawling to walking during playtime.

Milestones at 12 Months

When your baby reaches 12 months, you can expect her to achieve the following milestones:

  1. Language Development: Beginning to say a few words beyond “mama” and “dada.”
  2. Fine Motor Skills: Engaging in activities like putting objects into a container and stacking smaller items.
  3. Imitation: Mimicking your actions during playtime.
  4. Communication: Expressing desires through gestures and pointing.

Additionally, some babies may demonstrate the following:

  1. Walking: Taking a few steps independently.
  2. Creativity: Attempting to draw with crayons.
  3. Balance: Standing steadily on her own.
  4. Independence: Drinking from a cup without assistance.

Around this age, you might notice a shift to one nap a day, though bedtime struggles can arise due to new developments, such as your baby learning to stand in her cot. Establishing a consistent routine, including calming activities before naps and bedtime, can help ease these challenges and promote better sleep.

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