12 MONTHS GROWTH & DEVELOPMENT

I Can Do It
It doesn't seem possible. Just one year after her birth, your baby is on her way to becoming a toddler. You may find that she wants to make a few decisions on her own. She may sometimes voice her opinion through babbles, jargon, a few words and some gestures. This is the person you've been nurturing since she was a newborn. At a year, you're just getting to know her.

Your baby will become more assertive this month. Stubborn, you might call it. She'll insist on taking 10 minutes to take off her own shoes or walking (and falling down) without help. She's not only learning. She's also developing a sense of who she is. So celebrate even if she makes a mess of her beautiful birthday cake because she's determined to eat it herself.

The Toddler Years
Toddlers move like ducks, with their feet spread wide apart. This helps them keep their balance. It also makes them adorable. Just wait until your baby starts waddling around the house, taking those first unsteady steps. You'll have to stop yourself from rushing over and gathering her up in your arms.

The word toddle means "to move unsteadily." Your baby's first steps will seem all the more precious because they're so unsure. But as soon as she gets going, you can expect her to pick up speed fast. In just a few months, she'll be running and jumping. Look out playground, here we come.

"Where's your nose?"
Your baby's vocabulary will have a growth spurt. You'll notice that she responds to questions and commands. Ask "Where's your nose?" and she'll point to her face. Say "Get your shoes," and she'll toddle over to her booties.

It's normal for your baby to know from three to 100 words. Most 12-month-olds recognize between 20 and 50. Kiss, dog, car, bottle, come and sleep are examples of common words. Asking your baby to sleep might not get much response. But asking your baby for a kiss is usually a win-win proposition.



When babies are born, they already know their mothers' smell and voice. As a parent, you are your baby's best teacher.

Your baby heard your voice before she was born. Now you can talk to her in person, speaking softly into her ear.
Give your baby a different view of the world by holding her against your chest, facing over your shoulder. Always support her head gently but firmly.
Show your baby simple objects, simple black and white drawings or pictures with bright colours and patterns. Try to hold them 8 to 12 inches from her face since that's where she can focus best. As her eye muscles strengthen and vision becomes more coordinated, she can track moving images.

11 MONTHS GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Cruising the Furniture
This month, it may be helpful to think of your baby as an Olympic athlete. Walking is his sport. But he can't win the gold medal without hours and hours of training. That's why your little contender seems obsessed with standing and with hanging onto the furniture.

Sometime soon he'll let go and take his first step. Then you'll know it's time to stand up and cheer. In the meantime, give your baby lots of encouragement. Standing, stepping and balancing are all tough skills to master. And now he has to coordinate all three. This means he needs lots of supervision, too. "Cruising" the furniture is risky business. He's bound to wind up tumbling over now and then. A small price to pay for victory.

"Bye-bye"
One of the highlights of parenting happens in these last months of your baby's first year. You've been talking to your baby all his life. Suddenly one day he'll start talking to you. A world of communication opens up when your child starts putting words to objects and people.

Expect him to start small. Sentences are beyond him. So are big words. He might start with single syllables; "Da" for Daddy or "buh" for bye-bye. Simple and sweet. You'll never forget the way he says his first words.

Becoming More Independent
Your baby is so determined to walk, he'll try almost anything that works. What happens if he takes two big steps? Two little steps? Should he hold the crib rail with his right hand or left? He's conducting experiments. He's also learning that there's more than one way to do things. The freedom to experiment gives your baby's confidence a boost.

One small step for your baby is a big step for his independence. Freedom is thrilling. You might feel a little wistful, watching your baby cruise around the room. He's not a cuddly little newborn anymore. But he needs you as much as ever. Pretty soon you'll be walking hand in hand.

As your baby is gaining both curiosity and mobility, try channeling their need to explore into fun and challenging activities, like hide-and-seek. Hide yourself or hide some toys. Cover the toys and let her find them.

Read story books to your baby over and over again. Make sure to add lots of dramatic voices and sounds when you can.

Look through a book and make up a story about each picture. Let your baby turn the page when she's ready.

Offer your baby a push toy, even if she's not walking yet.

Create silly routines that make your baby laugh, and where she has a role. Puff your cheeks up with air and let the air "explode" when she pokes you with her finger.