Alternative names 
Normal childhood growth milestones - 12 months; Developmental milestones record - 12 months; Childhood growth milestones - 12 months

Definition
This article describes the skills and growth markers relevant to 12 month-old children.

Information

Physical and motor development:

 
• Weight should have tripled  
• Height should have increased by 50% over birth length  
• The head circumference should equal that of the chest  
• May have 6 to 8 teeth  
• The anterior fontanel (the front soft spot on the head) should be almost closed  
• Disappearance of Babinski reflex  
• May walk independently or with the support of one hand  
• Can sit down without help  
• Tries to build a tower out of 2 blocks  
• Turns through pages of a book by flipping many at a time

Sensory and cognitive development:

 
• Follows a fast moving object  
• Has control over response to sounds  
• Comprehends several words  
• Can say mamma, papa and at least two other words  
• Comprehends simple commands  
• Tries to imitate animal sounds  
• Associates names with objects  
• Searches for objects that are hidden, but unable to consider alternative locations  
• May develop attachment to a toy or object  
• Experiences separation anxiety and may cling to parents  
• May make brief exploratory journeys away from parents in familiar settings

Play:

 
• Provide the infant with picture books  
• Provide the infant with different stimuli:       o Go to the mall (people)       o Go to the zoo (animals)  
• Play ball  
• Build vocabulary by reading and naming people and objecting in the environment  
• Teach hot and cold through play  
• Provide large toys that can be pushed to encourage walking

Medical Encyclopedia

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