Milestones: Your Baby at 1 Year
Wow! Your baby is 1 year old! What a ride this past year has been. Your baby has grown so tremendously over the past 12 months, it’s hard to believe you had a tiny, sleepy little one this time last year.
We compiled 1-year milestones found on the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC websites. Milestones are cues that your child’s development is on track. We also discuss delays you can look into for this age as well.
Social Skills
At one year old, your baby may still experience separation anxiety and stranger danger. They will cry when parents leave, and be nervous around people they don’t recognize.
Your baby will favor certain toys and people by this time. On the other hand, it’s perfectly age-appropriate for them to start to fear things and certain situations, like being around animals.
Play time is real fun by this age, since your baby will be more engaged. They will hand you books that they want to read, and be able to play simple games like peek-a-boo and patty cake.
Language Skills
Language skills kick into gear by this age, and your child will say “mama” and “dada” and exclamations like “uh-oh!” They will try to imitate words you say, and even start to have changes in tone that will sounds more like speech than babble.
By this time, your baby will respond to simple spoken requests, like “come here” and “put that down.” They will use simple gestures like shaking their head “no” and waving goodbye.
Movement Skills
At 1 year your baby can sit up without help, pull themself up to stand, and walk while holding onto furniture. They may be able to stand and even take a few steps alone. Watch out, world!
Cognitive Skills
You will have a copycat on your hands at 1 year: your baby will start to copy your gestures.
They will use things the correct way, like drinking from a cup or babbling into a phone. They will be trying out things in a different way, like shaking, banging, and throwing. By this age, they will be able to put items both in and out of containers.
Your curious one will also start pointing at things with their pointer finger, and look at the right picture when it’s named while reading.
Delays to Look Out For
At 1 year old, your baby will continue to be screened for general development using standardized, validated tools by your pediatrician. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics and the CDC, here are delays to watch out for at this age:
- Doesn’t crawl
- Can’t stand when supported
- Doesn’t search for things that she sees you hide
- Doesn’t say single words like “mama” or “dada”
- Doesn’t know gestures like waving or shaking head
- Doesn’t point to things
- Loses skills they once had
If your child is showing signs of delay, your pediatrician will help you make a plan for therapy services and other needed support. We offer these special services at all of our preschools. Our mission at Books and Rattles, Inc., is to help families with children at all developmental levels. We are here to help your baby grow and thrive.
