YOUR BABY WILL DEVELOP AT THEIR OWN PACE AND MAY TAKE LONGER THAN OTHER BABIES. USE OUR 9-12 MONTHS DEVELOPMENT GUIDELINES BELOW TO ENCOURAGE AND SUPPORT YOUR BABIES DEVELOPMENT
BETWEEN 9-12 MONTHS YOUR BABY SHOULD BE ABLE TO...
PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT
Throw small objects
Crawl or bottom shuffle
Sit and get into sitting position alone
Use objects to stand and sit down again
Stand up alone for short periods of time
Pick up small objects with pinching motion
Walk around using large objects or furniture
Maintain balance on feet and start to take steps
COMMUNICATION DEVELOPMENT
Point at objects
Respond to own name
Make more meaningful sounds such as mum
Respond to simple directions
Say short words
When dressing, will hold out arm or foot to help
Use hand movements to communicate wants and needs such as reaching to be picked up
Start babbling their own made up words and sounds in social communication
SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
Cry when parents leave
Prefer certain people and toys
Enjoy imitating people in play
Know routines such as bedtime
Enjoy being centre of attention
Like to do things independently
Show empathy such as crying when others cry
Try different attention seeking behaviours such as making loud sounds
COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT
Explore things by banging, shaking or throwing
Find hidden objects easily
Bang things together
Put objects in and out of containers
Let go of things without help
Imitate behaviour correctly such as copying wiping the table
Follow simple directions such as “pick up your toy”
Begin to use common objects correctly such as using brush to brush hair
EMOTIONAL DEVELOPMENT
Be comforted through cuddles or touch
Notice and cry when hurt
Be generally happy when not hungry or tired
Show many emotions such as happy, sad, scared, excited
Be able to self-soothe when upset
Display affection through hugs, kisses and smiles
Be able to enjoy a wide variety of touch, noise, and smells
Grow accustomed to common sounds and no longer get scared
IF YOU BELIEVE YOUR CHILD IS NOT MEETING THE MILESTONES FOR THEIR AGE OR IF YOU THINK THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH DEVELOPMENT, PLEASE SPEAK TO A DOCTOR. IF YOU ARE STRUGGLING WITH YOUR BABY, PLEASE SEEK SUPPORT
