Growth milestones for children - 12 months

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

 

Johns Hopkins patient information

Last revised: December 6, 2012
by Dave R. Roger, M.D.

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