8 to 12 months

Becoming a Mini Version of You

Your child is beginning to do more and more things that resemble adult behaviour. They might hold a ‘conversation’ with you (while speaking in gibberish), explore objects by pulling, pushing, and banging, follow simple directions, and have a longer attention span. These few months are truly exciting to witness changes and growth happening so quickly..

During these months, your child will enjoy imitating things that they see and hear.

Your child may be strong enough to pull themselves up into a standing position using furniture for support.

Your child will begin to display problem-solving skills like trial-and-error as they explore and play.

If they haven’t already begun, your child should be ready to eat solids at this age.

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Fine motor skills and wrist rotation

As your child’s fine motor skills improve, they will begin to coordinate their pincer grasp with other hand and arm movements. Developmental milestones such as wrist rotation are particularly important for tasks like solving puzzles and eventually, writing. We can help your child practice wrist rotation using wooden toys like peg puzzles and activity boards.

FAQ

Is it normal for 1 year olds to not say anything?

Some babies say between 1 to 3 words by around 1 years old, but they may not be fully-formed or very clear. For example, they might say ‘mama’ or ‘dada’, or try to say their sister’s name. But it’s normal for babies to start talking later, around 16 months.

Is there anything I can do to improve my baby’s language development?

The best way to improve language is to expose your baby to more language! Read baby books, play with educational toys that encourage talking, sing, and introduce baby signs.

How do I know when to pick up my baby when they cry?

There are many theories about how to deal with crying. Generally, babies cry when they are in some kind of discomfort, so we do advocate for comforting them. On top of that, babies need attention!

How do I identify developmental delays?

Babies develop on a spectrum, so it’s challenging to put precise numbers on when things should happen. Make note of certain behaviors that you find concerning and bring it up to your pediatrician.

Should I teach my baby more than one language?

We’re a huge advocate for bilingual learning! There are many misconceptions about bilingualism but the research actually suggests that bilingual learning has many cognitive benefits.

What educational games can I play with my 8-12 month old?

Babies this age love a variety of wooden toys, soft toys, and children’s books. Find out more in our Early Learning Kits that are full of educational toys for 0 to 2 year olds.

8 to 12 months

Fine motor skills and wrist rotation

Related program

Early Learning Kits