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.

Updated: 4/2/2012

Reviewed 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.

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