9 - 12 MONTHS

Activities

The activities below let babies have fun while helping them develop physically, cognitively and socially. Do not force baby to do an activity if she doesn’t like it. You can always try it again later.

• Tunnel Crawl (9 - 18 Months)

• Find the Bells (9 - 18 Months)

• Push & Pull (9 - 18 Months)

• Stuffed Shirt (9 - 18 Months)

• Where Did It Go (9 - 18 Months)

• Texture Trip (9 - 12 Months)

• Knock the Blocks (9 - 24 Months)

• Follow the Toy (9 - 24 Months)

• Sing Body Parts (9 - 24 Months)

• Nesting Bowls (9 - 24 Months)

• Obstacle Course (Over the River) (9 - 24 Months)

• Windy Day (9 - 24 Months)

MILESTONES (12 MONTHS)

Here’s what most kids can do by 12 months. Be patient and let the child set the pace. Every child develops at a different pace!

Physical Development

• sit up without support (can pull themselves into a sitting position)

• crawl around quickly

• pull to stand (stand unsupported for a moment)

• “cruise” along furniture (small side-by-side steps while holding onto an object for support)

• hold two objects in one hand; knock two objects together

• put blocks into a container and take them out

• drink from a cup & eat finger food

• use a pincer grasp (thumb and forefinger) to pick up small objects

• turn pages in a book

• scribble with a crayon or pencil

Cognitive/Language Development

• babble & imitate words spoken by adults

• understand simple words and phrases

• points to body parts nad. familiar objects or people when named

• say first words like “book”, “ball”, “hi” and “bye.” 

• play interactive games like patty cake and peek-a-boo

• responds to own name & say “dada” and “mama” to her parents (not just randomly use the words)

• follow simple one-step instructions

• start using objects correctly (cup for drinking, brush for hair, etc.)

• imitate adult activities like using the phone or TV remote

Social/Emotional Development

• interested in other kids (but play is still not coordinated

• display attachment to parents/caregivers (may be shy with new people)

• Imitate simple facial expressions and sounds

• Shows preference for familiar people

• Expresses a range of emotions (joy, anger, fear)

TIPS

• Talk a lot with child! Name people, places and things that baby sees every day and points at

• read lots of board books and let baby turn the pages

• provide a lot of space to move around (HelpMeGrowMN)

• play exploration games to encourage standing and walking

• making obstacle courses

• use crayons, sidewalk chalk and other art supplies (encourage creativity & fine motor) (whattoexpect)

• use blocks (practice stacking one block on another)

• slide down cushions and climb up cushions

• play with toy that twist, turn, crank, dump & fill

• play with toys that can be pushed & pulled

• practice covering & uncovering boxes and containers

CITATIONS
American Academy of Pediatrics. (2015).
Developmental Milestones: 12 Months. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022)
Developmental Milestones Kuhl, P. K. (2010).
Brain mechanisms in early language acquisition. Neuron, 67(5), 713-727. [4]
Attachment and development: A prospective, longitudinal study from birth to adulthood. Sroufe, L. A. (2005)