Lifespan’s A - Z Health Information Library

•	Encyclopedia Home
•	Special Topics A-Z
•	Read Spanish version

Lifespan Services

•	Hasbro Children's Hospital

More Features

•	Printer-friendly version

 

Developmental milestones record - 12 months

Definition

The typical 12-month-old child will demonstrate certain physical and mental skills. These skills are called developmental milestones.

Alternative Names

Normal childhood growth milestones - 12 months; Growth milestones for children - 12 months; Childhood growth milestones - 12 months

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

The 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 at a time
• Have a precise pincer grasp
• Sleep 8 - 10 hours at night and take one to two naps

SENSORY AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

The typical 12-month-old:

• Follows a fast moving object
• Has control over response 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
• Associates 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
• Control the type and amount of television watched

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.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. © 1997- A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.