Definition

The typical 12-month-old child will demonstrate certain physical and mental skills. These skills are called developmental milestones.

Alternative Names

Normal childhood growth milestones - 12 months; Growth milestones for children - 12 months; Childhood growth milestones - 12 months; Well child - 12 months

Information

All children develop a little differently. If you are concerned about your child's development, talk to your child's health care provider.

PHYSICAL AND MOTOR SKILLS

A 12-month-old child is expected to:

• Be 3 times their birth weight
• Grow to a height of 50% over birth length
• Have a head circumference equal to that of their chest
• Have 1 to 8 teeth
• Stand without holding on to anything
• Walk alone or when holding one hand
• Sit down without help
• Bang 2 blocks together
• Turn through the pages of a book by flipping many pages at a time
• Pick up a small object using the tip of their thumb and index finger
• Sleep 8 to 10 hours a night and take 1 to 2 naps during the day

SENSORY AND COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT

The typical 12-month-old:

• Begins pretend play (such as pretending to drink from a cup)
• Follows a fast moving object
• Responds to their name
• Can say momma, papa, and at least 1 or 2 other words
• Understands simple commands
• Tries to imitate animal sounds
• Connects names with objects
• Understands that objects continue to exist, even when they can't be seen (object constancy)
• Participates in getting dressed (raises arms)
• Plays simple back and forth games (ball game)
• Points to objects with the index finger
• Waves goodbye
• May develop an attachment to a toy or object
• Experiences separation anxiety and may cling to parents
• May make brief journeys away from parents to explore in familiar settings

PLAY

You can help your 12-month-old develop skills through play:

• Provide picture books.
• Provide different stimuli, such as going to the mall or zoo.
• Play ball.
• Build vocabulary by reading and naming people and objects in the environment.
• Teach hot and cold through play.
• Provide large toys that can be pushed to encourage walking.
• Sing songs.
• Have a play date with a child of a similar age.
• Avoid television and other screen time until age 2 years.
• Try using a transitional object to help with separation anxiety.

References

American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Practice & Ambulatory Medicine. 2024 Recommendations for preventive pediatric health care: Policy statement. Pediatrics.2024;154(1):e2024067201. PMID: 38910527 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38910527/.

Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, Schuh AM. Normal development. In: Marcdante KJ, Kliegman RM, eds. Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2023:chap 7.

Onigbanjo MT, Feigelman S. The first year. In: Kliegman RM, St. Geme JW, Blum NJ, et al, eds. Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. 22nd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2025:chap 23.