How your baby is developing
By the time they're one year old, most babies are mobile. They may be able to walk, but if they aren't they're almost certainly crawling or 'cruising', holding on to furniture to move around. In addition to the development of these gross motor skills (control over larger body movements), their fine motor skills allow them to pick up small items.
Language and communication develop apace during these months, and your baby will probably show they understand some words. A few babies of a year old can say recognisable and meaningful sounds, such as "mummy" or "bye bye".
In addition, your baby understands that things - and people - still exist when they're out of sight - a major breakthrough.
What you can do
Make sure there are safe places for your baby to use their newfound mobility without risking an accident. Make sure furniture with sharp corners, precious ornaments, plants and tempting knobs and buttons are out of their range.
Regular family routines are teaching your baby all the time. When they hear the sound of a key in the lock, for example, they know someone they love is coming in. When you get their coat, they know they're going out, and when they're put in their highchair they know it's time for food.
You can build on this understanding by using words to describe what your baby is anticipating - "Yes, Grandpa's coming in" or "You know it's dinner time, don't you."
Fun and games
Your baby can now remember things and knows how to make things happen. They're able to anticipate fun, but also find things enjoyable when they don't happen as they thought they would. Lots of games make the most of this.
Play peep-bo from behind the sofa. Pop up on one side a few times until your baby knows to expect you there, then pop up on the other side to surprise them.
Hide a small toy under a cloth and let your baby pull the cloth off. Say "Where's teddy gone?" as you hide him and "There he is!" as he's revealed.
You can also play a variation of this, removing the teddy by sleight of hand so he's not there as anticipated when the cloth is removed, but appears in your pocket instead.
Play row-the-boat on the floor, with both of you seated. Vary the pace of the song from slow to fast, and change the movements between side to side and backwards and forwards.
If your baby can crawl well, you may be able to play hide-and-seek. Hide behind a door or curtain and call to your baby to come and find you.
You can also help your baby practise climbing the stairs. Hold a toy a couple of steps above your baby and encourage them to climb to it (see safety note below). Stay behind your baby or alongside them in case of tumbles. Some babies won't be able to do this until they're a little older.
Toys to buy
Now is the time to consider toys your baby can use to support their mobility and love of discovery. They're starting to copy deliberately, so toys that look like real objects can be real favourites.
Toy suggestions:
- Toy phone or old mobile phone (with battery and card removed)
- Push-along truck or trolley to support early walking
- Chunky bricks for building and knocking down
- Small pans with lids - fitting a lid is a real achievement (real pans are probably too heavy at this age)
- Balls of different sizes for rolling, kicking and hiding
Stairgates at the top and/or bottom of stairs can help if you're worried about your baby trying to climb them when you're not around, but they're no substitute for being watchful and if your baby gets practice climbing stairs they'll soon be a lot safer |
