Baby Care: First Year

Lesson 4: Stages: Growth and Development

Ten to Twelve Months

During these months, your baby is becoming more mobile. He can reach higher than he could before. Try stacking blocks. He may stand on his own to place the highest blocks on the stack. Explore the house with him. Be his tour guide and name objects. He knows the meaning of many familiar items, and may say a few words. He wants to move around on his own, with you close by. Let him tag along when you do the chores. He can follow his curiousity, so if you don't see or hear him, make sure he's out of trouble. If he wakes during the night, he may sit or stand, so make sure his sleep area is safe.

Distraction and redirection continue to be effective forms of behavior regulation. As his understanding of words increases, you can begin telling him what you want him to do (rather than what you don't want him to do.) Keep discipline positive when possible, and never withdraw your warmth and affection. He will follow your example and regulate his own behavior (according to his developmental ability) when he sees that you discipline him out of love (not a desire to make him unhappy.)

Monthly Milestones

Ten Months: He crawls and cruises (walks while holding on to furniture.) He may stand without support. He is curious about the contents of containers. He scribbles, plays simple games, and looks at books. He may dance to music. (See pages 474 to 488 in The Baby Book for more information on your baby's ninth to twelfth months.)

Eleven Months: He practices crawling and cruising. He may swing doors back and forth. He turns pages. He may speak a few words. (See pages 474 to 488 in The Baby Book for more information on your baby's ninth to twelfth months.)

Twelve Months: He takes his first steps. He climbs up and down steps. He may undress himself. He points at things that interest him. He may group objects by shape and color. He prefers to feed himself. He practices words and imitates sounds. (See pages 474 to 488 in The Baby Book for more information on your baby's ninth to twelfth months.)

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