12 months

Your baby is learning to…

• Walk alone and unaided
• Throw objects with greater control
• Attempt to kick an object on the floor
• Manipulate play dough by rolling and squeezing
• Use two fingers to attempt to pick up small objects
• Move to music
• Put objects in and out of containers
• Build with blocks

I Can Walk

Promote walking opportunities for your baby by holding your arms out and encouraging them to walk more independently. Encourage baby to chase a pull-along toy or follow a beautiful scarf pulled across the floor.

I Can Throw

Encourage your baby to have greater control when throwing objects by having them aim small tennis balls into a laundry basket or box.  Practice throwing outside in the garden to avoid breakages.

I Can Kick

Promote this skill by placing balls on the floor for your baby to kick. Demonstrate how to kick the ball and if possible turn it into a game for added fun.

I Can Play With Play Dough

Giving your baby play dough to work with is a great way to encourage and strengthen fine motor muscles.  For a great play dough recipe click here.

Picking Up Small Objects

By this time your baby will start to be able to pick up small objects using their fingers.  Assist them strengthening their fine motor muscles through offering play dough, drawing, painting and finger play activities.  See the Main Activity Diary page for activity ideas.

Move To Music

Babies love all kinds of music.  Make sure that your baby has a wide variety of appropriate music for children played throughout the day.  To encourage your baby to dance put out some coloured scarves, musical shakers or balloons to wave around as they move to the music.

In and Out

Your baby starts to show an interest in placing objects in and out of containers.  Offer your baby a range of containers and baby-friendly objects for them to experiment with different shapes and sizes.  This is also the time where you may notice your baby develops a liking to other people’s bags, taking objects in and out for investigation.  This can be a good time to get baby their own bag for playtime.

Block Building

Offering your baby a block set at this stage is a great idea as it not only supports fine motor development and hand-eye coordination, but it also encourages problem solving, mathematics and investigation.

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