Developmental Milestones You Should Expect After One Year

In just one year, you’ve watched your baby grow from a helpless newborn to an active toddler and acquire new abilities with amazing speed. After the first birthday, you can expect tremendous progress in a number of developmental areas.

Motor Skills

By one year, most babies can move around by scooting, rolling, or crawling and can stand and walk with help. Some babies are walking independently by their first birthday, don’t be concerned if your child is not. It may take until 17 or 18 months until yourchild feels comfortable walking alone.

During this time, babies become more proficient at grabbing objects and moving them around. Hide-and-seek and activity box toys are good for developing small motor control as well as cognitive skills. Most babies will begin to feed themselves with their fingers and a spoon, and some toddlers will help (or resist) while you dress them.

First Teeth

Before your baby is born, teeth are already developing beneath the gums. These usually start to emerge between 6 and 8 months, but it’s not unusual for children to pass their first birthday before they get their first tooth. The full set of 20 primary teeth will probably not be present until a few months past your child’s second birthday.

Your child should have their first visit to the dentist at about a year old. Many dentists specialize in pediatric patients, and a first dental check can pave the way for an easier time later. A pediatric dentist can help kidsfeel more comfortable by providing a fun atmosphere. The dentist can advise you about the best ways to care for your child’s dental health.

Communicating

Babies begin communicating with their parents long before they can speak by using gestures, facial expressions, and simple sounds and words. But between the age of 1 and 2, it will seem like your baby is learning a new word every day. Between 12 and 18 months, toddlers start putting together phrases and forming sentences, and by their second birthday, they will be able to have simple conversations. You can help verbal skills along bytalking and reading to your child and teaching new words.

The time between a baby’s first and second birthday is an exciting period of rapid physical, cognitive, and verbal development. Knowing the typical developmental milestones will help you prepare as your child grows up.

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