7-12 Months: Crawling, Standing, and First Words

Motor Skills:

• •Sits without support
• •Gets into sitting position alone
• •Rolls both directions easily
• •Begins to crawl (various styles)
• •Rocks back and forth on hands/knees
• •May pull to stand
• •Transfers objects hand to hand
• •Pincer grasp emerging (thumb and finger)

Communication:

• •Babbling with inflection ("bababa", "dadada")
• •Responds to name
• •Understands "no"
• •May wave bye-bye
• •Points at things
• •Copies sounds

Cognitive:

• •Object permanence (knows hidden things exist)
• •Looks for dropped toys
• •Explores with hands and mouth
• •Bangs toys together
• •Shows preferences for toys/people

Social/Emotional:

• •Stranger anxiety peaks
• •Separation anxiety begins
• •Plays peek-a-boo
• •Enjoys interactive games
• •Shows several emotions clearly

Motor Skills:

• •Pulls to stand consistently
• •Cruises along furniture
• •May stand alone briefly
• •May take first steps
• •Drinks from cup with help
• •Feeds self finger foods
• •Neat pincer grasp
• •May start using spoon (messily)

Communication:

• •May say first words ("mama", "dada", "uh-oh")
• •1-3 words by 12 months typical
• •Understands simple commands
• •Follows one-step directions
• •Responds to "where's ___?"
• •Waves bye, claps hands
• •Shakes head no

Cognitive:

• •Drops things to watch fall
• •Finds hidden objects
• •Simple problem solving
• •Puts objects in containers
• •Takes objects out of containers
• •Imitates actions
• •Knows names of familiar people

Social/Emotional:

• •Shows affection openly
• •Cries when parent leaves
• •Favorite people/toys clear
• •Repeats actions that get laughs
• •Tests boundaries
• •Enjoys music and dancing

By 9 Months, If Baby:

• •Doesn't sit with support
• •Doesn't bear weight on legs
• •Doesn't babble ("mama", "dada", "baba")
• •Doesn't respond to name
• •Doesn't recognize familiar people
• •Doesn't look where you point
• •Doesn't transfer toys hand to hand

By 12 Months, If Baby:

• •Doesn't crawl (any style) or move somehow
• •Can't stand with support
• •Doesn't search for hidden objects
• •Doesn't say single words
• •Doesn't use gestures (wave, point)
• •Doesn't point at objects
• •Loses skills they once had

Remember:

• •Wide range is normal
• •Preemies adjust for prematurity
• •Some babies skip crawling entirely
• •Walking anytime 9-18 months is typical
• •your healthcare provider tracks overall pattern

Motor Development:

• •Lots of floor time
• •Place toys just out of reach
• •Create obstacle courses (pillows, cushions)
• •Push toys to cruise with
• •Ball rolling games
• •Stacking cups/blocks
• •Shape sorters

Language Development:

• •Talk constantly about everything
• •Read board books daily
• •Sing songs with motions
• •Name objects as you point
• •Narrate daily activities
• •Respond to babbles as conversation
• •Ask questions ("Where's the ball?")

Cognitive Development:

• •Hide and seek with toys
• •Peek-a-boo games
• •Stacking and nesting toys
• •Container play (in and out)
• •Cause-and-effect toys
• •Simple puzzles
• •Music and dancing

Social Development:

• •Playdates with other babies
• •Mirror play
• •Pat-a-cake and other games
• •Practice waving and clapping
• •Family meals together
• •Praise and encouragement