Developmental Stages

Provided by Healthy Start, Grow Smart

Cognitive development
The one-year-old problem solver

Your baby’s brain is developing. She can now solve simple problems.

This is an important new skill. For example, when your baby holds a mechanical toy out to you and says, “Huh,” her brain is working hard. She knows that the toy will work if someone turns the key. She knows that she can’t turn the key. So she hands the toy to you. You can turn the key and make the toy work. She is solving a problem.

Your baby solves problems when she pulls a string to move a toy closer. She learns by trial and error that hammering on a pot makes more noise than pounding on the floor.

Babies use problem-solving skills to stack boxes, pull off shoes and socks or push chairs to use for climbing. Babies might work for several minutes opening a container that holds cereal for a snack.

Your baby needs your approval when she masters a task. Clap and encourage her. She will be more likely to try to solve new problems and to develop new brain skills.

Which hand?

Your baby probably prefers to use either her left hand or her right hand for most tasks. You might notice, for example, that she prefers to hold a spoon with her right hand. She picks up toys with her right hand. And she usually turns the pages of a book with her right hand.

People used to think that being left-handed was bad. Today we know that it doesn’t matter which hand a person uses. Complex brain chemistry determines which hand a person prefers. If your baby prefers using her left hand, let her. With your support, she will be as successful as a right-handed child when she feeds herself, plays with toys and does art projects.

Physical development
Building life skills

Life skills are tasks that children learn. They use life skills to take care of themselves. Examples of life skills are eating, dressing and grooming. These skills let children become more independent and confident.

You can practice life skills throughout the day. At mealtime, encourage your baby to feed herself with a spoon or with her fingers. Let her drink from a cup. Encourage independent tooth brushing. Offer your baby a second brush to hold while you clean her teeth. Put a stool near the sink to make hand washing easier.

Let her help with dressing and undressing. Let your baby pull up her own pants or take off her own socks and shoes. Let her help with clean-up tasks, too. Talk about putting toys back on a storage shelf, and let her help you do it.

Don't expect your baby to master these skills any time soon. She may put her pants on backward. She will probably spill more than she eats. She wants to do things for herself but will get frustrated easily. Learning these skills takes practice. Offer your support and be patient. Your child is learning skills that will last a lifetime.

Social and emotional development
Learning through play

Your baby tries to play with everything. And everything she plays with teaches her something new. She learns from toys, books and household items. She also learns from interactions with people.

If your baby has older brothers and sisters, she will watch to see how they play with toys. Your baby will want to play the same way. She imitates and copies what other people do.

If your baby is with another child of the same age, she will watch the other child. Sometimes she will copy that child’s play. The children may play side by side. But they probably won’t interact except to mimic one another.

Your baby will learn most from her interactions with you. Your patience and support will teach her independence. Your encouragement will help her learn that she is unique and has special skills. Your guidance and consistency will help her feel safe. In return, she will share her learning and success.

Language development
Working on words

Your 12-month-old is probably working hard on her language skills. She shows that she understands many words even though she can’t say them.

This is called receptive language. For example, when you ask her to hand you a toy or point to a picture in a book, she can do it.

Continue to go slowly with requests. Break activities down into many parts.

Your baby will be able to follow simple requests. For example, if you are looking at a picture book, don’t say, "Where are the farm animals?" Instead, say things like, "Point to the cow." "Show me the pig." "Do you see a chicken?" Give your baby time to think and respond before you move on to the next animal.

Expressive language — saying words — is developing, too. Your baby makes conversation-like noises, following your speech rhythm. She may say a few words clearly. She will point and gesture to help you understand the words she doesn’t pronounce well. Clearly say the word she is trying to use. She will try to imitate you. In time, her speech will become clear and easy to understand.

Remember your baby is working on many skills at the same time. For example, she may be putting a lot of energy into learning to walk. If so, her language development may slow down for a bit. Or she may be trying to get used to a new child-care center. If so, her physical and social skills may stall.

Usually, with your support, all areas of development will level out. Remember, if you become worried that her development is delayed, talk to her doctor.

Healthy Start, Grow Smart: U.S. Department of Agriculture, U.S. Department of Education and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services