During the first year, baby was busy discovering himself, but now he has discovered that there is an entire world waiting for him. No wonder he can’t wait to get up and walk! And trust us, this is only the beginning of what promises to be a rollercoaster of a year.
Physical Development
At the 12-month mark, toddlers will typically weigh between 17 and 22 pounds and measure between 2 and 2.5 feet. Don’t worry if your child varies from this average. Toddler development is different for every child.
Most children take their first steps around the one year mark. But as with all milestones, some kids are early while others prefer to wait a little longer until they feel steadier on their feet.
Signs to watch out for are pulling himself up and cruising along the side of the sofa or coffee table. Once your little one is crossing the gap from the coffee table to the sofa, walking unaided is within reach.
And speaking of things within reach, your adorable toddler enjoys nothing better than putting things in boxes or pouches and emptying them again. Including emptying your wallet, which you accidentally left on the coffee table! The good news is that this means toddler development is underway, so your child’s fine motor skills are developing.
During this toddler development stage, your little one enjoys putting things inside boxes or pouches, so keep your valuables out of reach.
You might also see him use one hand more than the other, showing his hand preference. Other things he’ll be able to do as his fine motor skills grow are holding a cup, eat with his fingers (utensils are still a thing of the future) and even help himself get dressed.
As he discovers the world from a standing point of view and his muscles grow stronger, he discovers new games. Throwing balls (and other objects), pushing wheely cars along the floor and even climbing onto the sofa (or the coffee table, or those steps outside). Rolling a ball, tickling, and pushing around wheely toys are favourite games at this age.
Continue reading to learn more about toddler development at 12 months. Next up is cognitive and language development
Cognitive Development
This year, toddler development is all about the outside world. Your toddler is slowly realizing he is living in some place much bigger and more interesting than he ever imagined before.
Where before he was content to be carried around in his parents’ arms, now he squirms and wriggles to venture out alone.
This is the time when his memory is developing. Now is perfect to start introducing shapes and colors, although it will take some time before your little one will recognize them!
This is the best time to introduce shapes and colors to your little one.
The discovery of the world comes with the discovery of having influence in the world. Your toddler is slowly understanding that his actions cause reactions.
He is starting to understand that he can actually make things happen! Watch out for him initiating games, such as rolling a ball over or pushing your nose.
He might also begin to point at things that he wants or that he is interested in. This is the beginning of two way communication.
This is also the time of heart-melting moments when your toddler waves goodbye and blows you big handfuls of kisses. However, that doesn’t mean that he’s okay with you leaving! Far from it, in fact.
Continue reading to learn more about toddler development at 12 months. Next up is Emotional and Social Development
Social and Emotional Development
The discovery of the world is exciting, but also scary. The world is big! Your toddler wants to toddle off, but only if he’s sure you’re keeping near. While exploring, he’ll constantly check back to see where you are.
This is the time when your former belle of the ball could turn shy. Stranger and separation anxiety might arrive on the scene, and your sweet small one might start bawling if you leave him with someone else or at daycare. Even if he never used to protest before.
Don’t worry, it’s all part of this new toddler development stage. Your toddler is starting to recognize and differentiate between people. Don’t force him to socialize. Let him slowly get used to all these small and big people who come into his life.
On the positive side, this is also the time when your little one will start bonding with other people besides his primary caregivers. Although parallel play, where children play side by side instead of together, is still firmly the norm, your little one might start making eye contact with other children.
He might even hand over a toy after he’s finished with it! This could be the start of a beautiful friendship.
Best of all: this is also the time when he’ll be smothering you with hugs and kisses. Well, when he’s not off exploring the world that is.
As your child is moving from baby to toddlerhood he needs your presence and guidance. Let him discover and try things on his own but be around to make sure he is safe.
He may try to eat on his own (using his hands, most likely making a huge mess) or to put on his own shoes.
The growing sense of independence at this age may lead to the first signs of stubbornness. Your toddler wants to do things by himself and he may get very upset about well-intentioned help.
Let him work things out on his own, and wait for him to turn to you before solving his problems.
Finally, your toddler may no longer be a baby, but neither is he a big boy yet. He is still only just discovering the world beyond his own body.
So don’t worry if he’s hitting other children, not sharing toys and develops a serious attachment to a toy, a pacifier or another object. All of it is perfectly normal at this age, believe it or not! It’s all part of toddler development.
So correct him calmly, but do not discipline–his brain is simply not up to understanding social niceties yet.
Continue reading to learn more about toddler development at 12 months. Next up is Speech and Language Development
Speech and Language Development
Memory development is a necessary step in learning how to speak. Although you might not see anything happening on the outside, inside your little one’s brain is working overtime to retain all those words you’re saying to him. He’s busy matching them to the objects you are talking about.
The growth of his (as yet passive) vocabulary means that soon he will be able to follow simple and precise instructions.
Maybe he already responds to short phrases like “give me the ball” or “put the toy in the box.” Especially if you help him along a little by pointing at the toy and the box as you are saying the words!
Toddlers also respond much better if you are on their level and making eye contact.
Many toddlers are now able to use one or two words in a meaningful way such as “mama”, “daddy” or “ball.” He’ll be practicing his talking by imitating the words you say and animal sounds (which he will love doing).
Can your toddler say “mama” or “daddy”? Is she practicing any speech sounds yet?
Listen carefully and you might even catch him making “speech sounds”, such as raising his voice to indicate a question.
Although your toddler might be babbling away to his teddy bear or toy car, proper talking will take a little while longer. Forming words requires a lot of precise effort from small muscles.
For now, your toddler is still concentrating on mastering the big muscle movements.
In fact, if he has started walking, most likely he’ll be talking and babbling less. Your little guy is concentrating on not falling over!
That doesn’t mean he isn’t listening to you, so keep talking. In fact, all that moving around is very tiring, so reading him books and stories is a perfect way to wind down.
Continue reading to learn more about toddler development at 12 months. Next up is Health and Nutrition
Health and Nutrition
Twelve months marks the moment for the first dose of MMR (measles, mumps and rubella) and a booster for pneumococcal disease.
This could mark the start of picky eating. As your toddler is moving around, he might lose interest in food.
Don’t worry too much about it as it’s all part of toddler development. He will eat when he is hungry. Forcing food on him might ignite his stubborn streak instead.
At the one year mark, your toddler’s gut is almost fully developed. This means you can introduce cow’s milk.
Do keep an eye out, though, for symptoms of lactose intolerance. These are usually temporary, but may mean a slower introduction of dairy. Cheese and yoghurt are generally fine.
The most important tip in this toddler development guide is for parents is to keep your phone or camera at the ready to catch those all-important first (second, third, fourth, fifth) steps!
Your toddler’s next month: 13 months
Republished with permission from: theAsianparent
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