{"id":28303,"date":"2024-12-27T18:00:21","date_gmt":"2024-12-27T18:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/?p=28303"},"modified":"2025-11-24T13:05:07","modified_gmt":"2025-11-24T13:05:07","slug":"12-month-old-baby","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.may.app\/en\/blog\/baby-1-year\/12-month-old-baby\/","title":{"rendered":"12 month old baby: everything you need to know"},"content":{"rendered":"

There it is \u2014 your baby is blowing out their first birthday candle<\/strong>, what a year! During their second year, your child will go through extraordinary development<\/strong>: walking, early language, interactions\u2026 <\/span><\/p>\n

12 month old baby<\/strong>: let\u2019s take a look at this new stage.<\/span><\/p>\n

Motor and Cognitive Development<\/b><\/h2>\n

Motor development<\/strong> in a baby includes learning physical skills<\/strong> and mastering bodily movements<\/strong>. At 12 months, your baby is in a full learning phase<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Motor development<\/b><\/h3>\n

Around 12 months, your baby is likely moving around with support<\/strong> and may move from one piece of furniture to another<\/strong>. Children generally start walking between 9 and 18 months<\/strong>. Why such a wide range? The more complex a skill is<\/strong> (sitting, standing, walking, language\u2026), the greater the variation in the average age of acquisition<\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

How can you help them learn to walk<\/strong>? Actually, it\u2019s generally discouraged to help too much<\/strong>! Babies don\u2019t need a training plan to learn how to walk \u2014 their desire to explore naturally increases their motivation to move<\/strong>, guiding them at their own pace toward walking. <\/span><\/p>\n

We therefore advise you not to \u201cmake your child walk\u201d by holding their hands up in the air<\/strong>. This won\u2019t make them walk sooner: as long as your child isn\u2019t physically ready<\/strong> (tone, balance, coordination) and psychologically ready<\/strong> (separating, moving independently in the world), they will not be able to walk<\/strong>. In addition, the more you let them practice on their own, the better their balance and control of body movements will be.<\/span><\/p>\n

Once they stand firmly on their own<\/strong>, your baby may even be able to dance<\/strong>! <\/span>Most babies instinctively move to music<\/strong>. Your baby reacts to music<\/strong> from birth (even in the womb!), and around age 1, they will likely dance by waving their hands or arms<\/strong>, bending their knees, or swaying. Before age 4 or 5, they aren\u2019t able to learn precise movements by imitation, but don\u2019t hesitate to play music and dance with them<\/strong> \u2014 they love it!<\/span><\/p>\n

Cognitive development<\/b><\/h3>\n

Observing people and their environment<\/strong> is a key driver of learning<\/strong>. You\u2019ve surely noticed that your child imitates you more and more<\/strong>. Imitation plays a major role in both motor development<\/strong> and socialization<\/strong>. And of course, you are their first role model!<\/span><\/p>\n