Child Development Activities for 12-Month-Old Babies

The 12-month milestone is significant for babies. They are eager to explore the world around them through sight, sound, touch, movement and play. Many of them are crawling and some are even walking by this stage. Because they are so active, it's hard to keep them focused on one activity for long, and many parents get frustrated when their child becomes bored. But if parents have a repertoire of go-to activities, they can help their children learn through the important work of play.

  1. Musical Activities

    • Research has shown that music stimulates the brain. It is difficult to prove whether music actually makes children smarter, but its calming and cognitive effects are significant for babies. Take any opportunity to introduce your 1-year-old to music. Turn normal household items, such as dried beans in a jar, into percussion instruments. Show your baby how to blow into empty bottles to create musical notes. Babies also love to dance at this age, even if they cannot stand yet.

    Peek-a-Boo

    • Peek-a-Boo is a classic game for 12-month-olds. Children at this age are slowly understanding the concept of object permanence, which means knowing something exists even if they cannot see it. Peek-a-Boo is exciting for them because they are surprised when you reappear again. Play with your face or your baby's face, covered by a blanket. Pretend that you don't know where she is and see whether she will try to surprise you.

    Outdoor Activities

    • Babies and toddlers need outdoor activity. Exercise and fresh air are important for them physically but can also affect their moods and ability to sleep well for naps and at night. Babies love viewing the world from their strollers during walks. However, they also need to experience grass, dirt and sand. Don't be afraid if they get a little dirty--this is all part of exploring the world around them. When it's warm, let your child splash and play with sand and water in a pool or buckets.

    Fine Motor Activities

    • Babies develop their fine motor skills through play and experimentation. Activities such as clapping, stacking rings and puzzles work well for developing these skills. Encourage your child to nest objects, putting something smaller into a larger container. Try plastic cups. If your baby can grasp something smaller, such as small rocks (without trying to eat them), help him put these into a pail or a cup.

    Make Believe Activities

    • Babies, even at this young age, already have an imagination. Help them foster their creative side by giving their stuffed animals or dolls names and personalities. The Baby Center website recommends helping your child put her bear to bed or giving her doll a bath. This helps your child learn about daily activities and develop socially and emotionally.

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