10-12 Months – Establishing habits and consistency

Communicating 

What’s New? 

This is the period when your baby`s first real word will most likely appear. Although he will still mostly babble, by the end of the first year your baby will probably use and understand at least one word  (such as “ma-ma” or “da-da”). He will try to communicate intensively with you in every way he can - not only using words, but also by pointing, moving, nodding, waving... If your baby doesn`t use words yet, do not worry. He will find other way to attract your attention and let you know what he wants. He will understand you more and more.

And What Can You Do to Help?

Talk to your baby during daily rituals - dressing, feeding, walking, shopping… Just name what you do or what you see around you — it’s not a lesson, just a conversation!  If he tries to talk, give him sounds meaning by adding a bit — for example, when he says "da-da" or “ma-ma” you could respond "Yes, Dad has come" or “Yes, Mummy has come”). By doing this, you’re enriching his vocabulary and building his communication skills.

During this period, you may notice that he understands short instructions such as "give it to your sister", "wave bye-bye" or "don’t touch it." Recognize his new understanding by giving him a big smile or praise.

Feelings

What’s New?

As when he was younger, your baby will probably still show some stranger anxiety.  He may still be scared and start to cry when you leave the room. As his emotional development progresses, he will become more and more aware of his needs.  And as he becomes better at communicating, he’ll be able to let you know his desires and feelings.

And What Can You Do to Help?

Continue to reassure your baby if he avoids new people.  Give him everyday experiences in which you may leave briefly — even to get a toy from another room — and come back.  Games like hide-and-seek or peek-a-boo give practice in managing these feelings, too.  Whatever his feelings, listen and try to interpret his wishes and put those feelings into words for him (for example, “Oh, baby is so tired” or “Baby wants that spoon; let me get it for you.”

Thinking

What’s New? 

Remember that your baby is in the process of learning all the time during this period. Babies of this age love to find hidden objects under a blanket or a cup. He also wants to discover how objects work - often by grabbing, shaking, hitting, throwing, or banging something on the ground (be sure objects are safe!). He will enjoy playing with the adults who look after him.  At the end of the first year he may also initiate the play - by showing you the toys with which he is playing.

And What Can You Do to Help?

Just as when he was younger, your baby will still learn best through play. In Playing Together section, you’ll find many activities that your baby will love at this age. Every child is unique, so follow his initiative and support his choice of toys and interests. Simple everyday objects and activities will enrich his knowledge and thinking abilities. Read books, tell traditional stories, play music or sing songs, and recite nursery rhymes for him. Let him turn over the pages of picture books. Bathing or getting dressed are great times to help him point to body parts. 

Moving

What’s New?

These months bring some exciting developments.  Most likely, your baby will begin by standing by holding onto something. Then he may try standing independently and perhaps take to his first steps. Every child is different, but by the end of this period, some babies may even walk on their own. However, walking is a big challenge for babies, and some early walkers will still go back to crawling as an easier way to explore their world. At the same time, he is becoming more skilled at using his hands and fingers to explore his environment.

And What Can You Do to Help?

You don’t need to teach a child to walk!  But do find fun, everyday ways to encourage him to move, so that he will build muscle strength for more complex movements.   Now that you have him on the go, check that your home is safe and secure for the little adventurer.  His coordination and use of his hands are improving, too.  You can help by encouraging him to explore different textures of objects with his touch, or to bang one object against another, or to put them into boxes and take them out of them, or to gather food crumbs from the table. Give him crayons to scribble on paper.

To find many more ways on how to support child development through play, go to Playing Together section.

Parents’ concerns about development in the period from the 10th to the 12th month 

Because each child develops in his own particular way, it’s impossible to predict exactly when or how your own child will perfect a certain skill. The abilities (developmental milestones) expected and listed for this period give you only a general idea of the changes you might expect as your child gets older.  Please don’t be worried if his development takes a slightly different path.

However, to be sure, do talk with your pediatrician [or other health provider] if your child displays any of the following signs of possible developmental delay, if your child seems to have lost some of the skills he had at an earlier age, or if you have other reasons to be concerned:

• Your child isn`t making eye contact with you or isn’t following moving objects with his eyes,
• is not interested in sounds,
• does not respond to his name when you call him,
• isn’t babbling,
• isn’t trying to let you know in any way what his desires or needs are,
• isn’t pointing to objects,
• isn’t showing emotions,
• isn’t crawling.