Milestones for a 1-Year-Old

Overview

Children usually progress in a natural, predictable sequence from one developmental milestone to the next. But each child grows and gains skills at their own pace. Some children may be advanced in one area, such as language. But they may be behind in another, such as movement and physical development.

Milestones usually are grouped into five major areas: physical growth, cognitive development, emotional and social development, language and communication development, and movement and physical development.

Physical growth

Most children by age 1:

• Have grown a total of about 10 in. (25 cm) in length since birth and measure somewhere between 28 in. (71 cm) to 32 in. (81 cm). 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.
• Have grown in head circumference. (This is the measurement around the top of the head.) The head circumference for most 12-month-old babies is about 18 in. (46 cm). The soft spots, or fontanelles, of the skull have started to close.
• Still have a "baby" look. Your child's head is large in proportion to the rest of the body. Their 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.

Cognitive development (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

Most children by age 1:

• Can put something in a container, like putting a block in a cup.
• Look for things that they see you hide, like a teddy bear under a blanket.

Emotional and social development

Most children by age 1:

• Like to play games with you, like patty-cake.

Language and communication development

Most children by age 1:

• Wave "bye-bye."
• Call parents "mama" or "dada" or another special name.
• Understand the word "no." They will pause briefly or stop when you say it.

Movement and physical development

Most children by age 1:

• Pull up to a standing position by holding on to furniture or other solid objects.
• Walk while holding on to furniture or other solid objects.
• Grasp objects, such as a piece of cereal, with their thumb and second finger. This is called a "pincer grasp."