Milestones for a 1-year-old

Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence from one developmental milestone to the next. However, each child grows and gains skills at his or her own pace. Some children may be advanced in one area, such as language, but behind in another, such as sensory and motor development.

Milestones usually are categorized into five major areas: physical growth, cognitive development, emotional and social development, language development, and sensory and motor development.

Physical growth and development

Most children by age 1:¹

• Have grown a total of about 10in. in length since birth and measure somewhere between 28in. to 32in.. Somewhere between 9 and 12 months of age, many babies have tripled their birth weight. After their first birthday, babies start gaining weight and growing at a slower pace. You can view standard growth charts from the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention by copying and pasting the following address to your Web browser: www.cdc.gov/growthcharts.²
• Grow in head circumference (the measurement around the top of the head). Most babies head circumference grows about 0.25in. to 0.5in. per month. The soft spots, or fontanelles, of the skull have started closing. But they won't completely grow together until sometime between the 9th and 18th month.
• Still have a "baby" look. Your child's head is large in proportion to the rest of his or her body. His or her tummy sticks out, which can add to an overall "chubby" appearance.
• Get a few teeth. Usually, the first to come in are the two front upper and lower teeth. Next, usually, come the upper and lower central incisors. See an illustration of typical order that baby teeth come in.

Thinking and reasoning (cognitive development)

Most children by age 1:¹

• Are curious about everyday objects and how they work. Your child may try turning knobs, pushing buttons, and opening drawers and cupboards.
• Start to remember things that happened a few hours or even a day ago. Your child may show this new skill by doing a simple thing, such as stacking blocks or getting excited when you talk about going to the store.
• Can find an object that they watch you hide. For example, if your child watches you cover a teddy bear with a blanket, he or she can "find" the teddy bear by removing the blanket.
• Like to play peekaboo.

Emotional and social development

Most children by age 1:¹

• Interact mostly with parents and other primary caregivers. They do not show much of an interest in playing with other children. However, they engage in "parallel play." This is when children play next to or along side each other but don't interact.
• Like to "flirt" with parents and other caregivers. They giggle, show off, and seek attention.
• Begin to understand permanence-that people and objects still exist even when they are out of sight. Early on, before this concept is learned, some children may continue to have or seem to have a relapse of separation protest. This condition is when children feel uneasy and anxious when a parent or another caregiver leaves. Separation protest may also be the cause of bedtime problems. You can help your child learn permanence (and that you will come back after leaving for a bit) by playing games such as peekaboo. You can also place toys under blankets to "hide" them while your child watches and then "find" them together.

Language development

Most children by age 1:¹

• Experiment by making different sounds, such as "ptthhh," or repeat sounds, such as "ba-ba-ba-ba." Many toddlers favor practicing the "b" and "d" sounds. They may jabber a long string of sounds with tone and inflection that sound like conversation.
• Can identify each parent, often by name ("mama," "dada").
• Sometimes repeat right away a sound they hear when someone is talking.
• Can say at least 3 words.
• Recognize their own names. They may also look at family members or pets when you talk about them. Typically, babies this age understand some familiar words, although they are still guessing about many other words and their meanings.

Sensory and motor development

Most children by age 1:¹

• Like to put things in their mouths. This is their way to find out about an object.
• Pull up to a standing position by holding onto furniture or other solid objects.
• "Cruise" (walk while holding on to furniture) or walk on their own.
• Have mastered grasping objects, such as a piece of cereal, with their thumb and second finger ("pincer grasp"). Most children use the pincer grasp by the time they are about 10 months of age.

Citations

1. American Academy of Pediatrics (2004). Age eight months through twelve months. In SP Shelov, RE Hannemann, eds., Caring For Your Baby and Young Child: Birth to Age 5, 4th ed., chap. 9, pp. 231–264. Elk Grove Village, IL: American Academy of Pediatrics.

2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2000, revised). Growth charts. Available online: http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts.