Developmental milestones record - 12 months
The typical 12-month-old child will demonstrate certain physical and mental skills. These skills are called developmental milestones.
Information
All children develop a little differently. If you are concerned about your child's development, talk to your child's health care provider.
PHYSICAL AND MOTOR SKILLS
A 12-month-old child is expected to:
- Triple the birth weight
- Grow to a height of 50% over birth length
- Have a head circumference equal to that of the chest
- Have one to eight teeth
- Pull to stand
- Walk with help or alone
- Sit down without help
- Bang two blocks together
- Turn through the pages of a book by flipping many pages at a time
- Have a pincer grasp
- Sleep 8 - 10 hours a night and take one to two naps
SENSORY AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
The typical 12-month-old:
- Follows a fast moving object
- Can respond to sounds
- Responds to his or her name
- Understands several words
- Can say mamma, papa, and at least one or two other words
- Understands simple commands
- Tries to imitate animal sounds
- Connects names with objects
- Understands that objects continue to exist, even when they are not seen (object constancy)
- Points to objects with index finger
- Waves bye
- May develop attachment to a toy or object
- Experiences separation anxiety and may cling to parents
- May make brief journeys away from parents to explore in familiar settings
PLAY
You can help your 12-month-old develop skills through play:
- Provide picture books
- Provide different stimuli, such as going to the mall or zoo
- Play ball
- Build vocabulary by reading and naming people and objects in the environment
- Teach hot and cold through play
- Provide large toys that can be pushed to encourage walking
- Sing songs
- Have a play date with a child of a similar age
- Avoid television time
Alternative Names
Normal childhood growth milestones - 12 months; Growth milestones for children - 12 months; Childhood growth milestones - 12 months
References
Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, Behrman RE, Jenson HB, Stanton BF, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 18th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders Elsevier; 2007:chap 8.
Update Date: 11/2/2010
Updated by: Jennifer K. Mannheim, ARNP, Medical Staff, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Health, Seattle Children’s Hospital. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
MedlinePlus Topics
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