12 Month Development (1 Year Old)

What to expect at 12 months old - Happy First Birthday!

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Physical Development

  • May take first independent steps
  • Stands alone well
  • Cruises confidently along furniture
  • May walk holding your hand
  • Drinks from cup with help
  • Self-feeds with fingers
  • Helps getting dressed (pushes arm through sleeve)
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Cognitive Development

  • Explores objects in many ways (shaking, banging, throwing, dropping)
  • Finds hidden objects easily
  • Looks at correct picture when named
  • Copies gestures
  • Uses objects correctly (drinks from cup, brushes hair)
  • Follows simple directions
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Social-Emotional

  • Shy or anxious with strangers
  • Cries when parents leave
  • Has favorite people and toys
  • Shows fear in some situations
  • Hands you a book to read together
  • Repeats sounds or actions to get attention
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Communication

  • Says "mama" and "dada" specifically to parents
  • May say 1-3 words besides mama/dada
  • Tries to imitate words
  • Responds to simple verbal requests
  • Uses gestures (waves bye, shakes head no)

Track milestones and growth with  DayTrackr Timeline your family milestones and countdown to big moments.