Everything you need to know about your growing 1-year-old

As a parent, it’s amazing to see how quickly your little one grows and develops in just one short year. From their first steps to their first words, each milestone is a cause for celebration. However, with all the changes that come with your child’s growth, it can be overwhelming to keep up with what they need and how to support their development. That’s why we’ve put together this guide – to provide you with everything you need to know about your growing 1-year-old. So, sit back, relax, and let’s dive into the world of toddlerhood.

Social and emotional milestones of 1-year-old

Some of the ways you’ll see your little one learning to connect with the people around him in 1 year:

• Hands you a book when he wants to hear a story.
• Cries when his parents leave.
• Is shy around strangers.
• He’ll put out an arm or leg to help with getting dressed.
• Has favorite toys.
• Repeat sounds to get your attention.

Tips for Parents

• Play social games with him like hiding something and coaxing him to find it.
• Try to get him to help with getting dressed by asking him to put his leg out, stand up, etc.

Language and communication milestones at 1 year

How your toddler is expressing her needs:

• Is using basic gestures like waving and saying basic words like “mama” and “dada.”
• Her babbles sound more like speech.
• Responds to simple requests you give.
• She will try to repeat the words you say.

Tips for Parents

• Encourage your toddler to say ‘hello’ and ‘goodbye.’ Praise your toddler when they do so, as this can help their socio-emotional development.
• Praise your toddler when she repeats words or tries to speak with others.
• Prompt her to point to characters and objects when you’re reading to her.

Brain development milestones at 1 year

How your child’s brain is growing:

• He is copying movements and gestures.
• Bangs objects together.
• Drinks from a cup and uses other objects correctly.
• Finds things that are hidden.
• He looks at the right object when it is named.
• Can follow simple directions and lets go of objects without help.
• He puts objects in containers and can take them out.

Tips for Parents

• Give support and guidance to your toddler when he’s playing a game.
• As you notice your toddler gaining skills and being able to do some things on his own, you can progressively reduce your support but still observe and guide him.

Movement and physical development milestones at 1 year

How she’ll move through her environment:

• Can take a few steps without support.
• Gets into a sitting position without support.
• Pulls up to stand and walks while holding onto furniture.

Tips for Parents

• Try placing your toddler on flat surfaces to help her develop her gross motor skills like crawling and moving her arms and legs.

Food and nutrition milestones at 1 year

What mealtimes look like at 1 year:

• Eats a greater variety of foods, such as soft-cooked vegetables and soft fruits.
• He is starting to learn how to eat on his own.
• Can thoroughly chew his food.
• He is beginning to be able to use an open cup.

Tips for Parents

• Give your toddler half a cup of food four to five times a day, along with two healthy snacks.
• Continue to breastfeed if he wants to.

Things to look out for

While all children develop differently, you should speak to your pediatrician if your 1-year-old:

• Isn’t crawling.
• Won’t search for hidden objects.
• Is unable to stand without support.
• Doesn’t point.
• Doesn’t say simple words.
• Loses skills she once had.

>> Read more: Everything you need to know about your growing 2-year-old