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Encouraging Healthy Development - Healthy Development Ideas - 12 Months

Incredible growth occurs during the first three years of a child’s life. There are many things you can do to support and nurture healthy development during this time. Below, we’ve listed some specific activities to help a 12-month-old (1-year-old) baby develop and grow. 

moving icon Moving - Physical or Motor Development

  • Child-proof your home: lock up household cleaning, laundry, lawn care and car care products; use safety gates; and lock doors to outside and basement.
  • Provide push toys such as a car or wagon.

talking icon Talking - Communication and Language Development

  • Play, sing and read to your baby.
  • Talk to your baby about what you are doing such as, “I am changing your diaper.”
  • Let your baby turn the pages when looking at a book together and take turns naming items in the pictures.
  • Use words to tell your baby what comes next, such as “Mommy is putting on your socks and then we will put on your shoes.”
  • Build on what your baby says or tries to say, or points to – if your baby points to a dog and says “da,” respond, “Yes, that’s a little, black dog.”

interacting icon Interacting - Social and Emotional Development

  • Develop and maintain consistent routines.
  • Help your baby learn limits by saying “no” in a firm quiet voice.
  • Provide your baby with choices, such as, “Do you want to wear your red shirt or your blue shirt?”
  • Give your baby time to get to know a new caregiver – bring a favorite toy, blanket or stuffed animal to help comfort your baby in a new situation.
  • Give your baby lots of hugs and kisses.
  • Praise your baby for good behavior.
  • Encourage your baby’s wanted behaviors rather than punishing unwanted behaviors. Give four times more encouragement than correction.
  • Say what you think your baby is feeling, such as happy, mad or sad.
  • Include your baby at family meals.

thinking icon Thinking - Cognitive Development

  • Play with blocks, shape sorters and other toys that encourage your baby to use his/her hands.
  • Give your your baby crayons and paper and let him/her draw freely.
  • Show your baby how to draw lines and offer praise when he/she tries to copy them.
  • Hide small toys and have your baby find them.
  • Ask your baby to name body parts.
  • Ask your baby to tell you what he/she sees while you are riding in the car; sing songs and say rhymes.
  • Sing songs with actions like “The Itsy-Bitsy Spider” and “Wheels on the Bus”; teach your baby the actions.
  • Turn everyday routines into fun learning moments, such as what toys sink and float at bath time.
little girl playing with shovel and bucket at beach

If you have concerns about a child's development and think a child might need extra help to learn and grow, don't hesitate to refer a child.

The family will be contacted by the local school district to arrange for a screening or evaluation to determine if their child is eligible for Infant and Toddler Intervention or Preschool Special Education services in Minnesota.

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phone icon You can also call 1-866-693-4769 to refer a Minnesota child.
Email helpmegrow@state.mn.us