If you’ve been reading, talking and singing to your baby, you’ll start seeing the rewards. They’ll begin to understand more and more. Remember, the more you talk to them, the smarter they will be.
While you dress your baby, name each piece of clothing as you hand it to them: sock, shoe, pants, etc. Remember everything has a word; use them. After a few days of naming the items of clothing, put their clothes on the floor in front of them and ask them to give them to you as you say the item's name. While bathing, name the toys in the tub and ask your baby to hand you a specific toy.
Try to avoid "no," except when danger is involved! If they do something that you do not like, distract them by taking them to another area and giving them something else to do. If they are about to touch a hot stove, by all means, use the word "no." For example: "No, the stove is hot! That will burn you." Be consistent when you use the word "no," so that it means "Stop at once!"
Things Your Child May Do at This Age
• Pick up tiny objects using only thumb and forefinger (pincer grasp)
• Point and probe with forefinger
• Release objects awkwardly; throw objects to practice how to release fingers
• Hold something out for you to take (They won't always let go.)
• Experiment with simple things that fit together
• Walk with one or both hands held, or walk alone without support
• Rock to rhythm while standing alone
• Stoop to pick up things on the floor
• Climb stairs while holding on to your hand or the banister (Be sure to supervise!)
• May push riding toys backward instead of pulling them toward him
Potty Training
Introduce toilet training through consistent, positive encouragement. There is no set time to start potty training. Your child's readiness should be the guide.
When babies are born, their nervous system, which sends messages throughout the body, has not completely developed. As your baby grows and their body develops, they gain more control over their body's actions and functions such as holding their head up, rolling over, picking up small items with their fingers, and walking. The same is true for going to the bathroom. Potty training can only occur when they are able to control their bladder and their bowel functions. Babies' bodies develop at different rates, so be patient! Praise them when they are successful. Do not punish them when accidents occur—they are simply "accidents.”
Safety First!
• Lock cabinets, doors and windows as your child begins to move about.
• Supervise stairs and/or use a gate to block entrances.
• Your child will love to play with water. Remember, it takes only four minutes to drown in less than 2 inches of water. SUPERVISE at all times whenever your child is playing with water.
• Place medicines, cleaning products, matches and firearms on high shelves behind locked doors. Remove all hazardous substances. Cover all electrical outlets and extension cords that are exposed.
• Buckle your child into a front-facing child seat placed in the backseat of the car when you take your child for a ride. Never leave your child in a car alone.
• Supervise sandbox play to teach your child how to play in the sand. They may want to eat the sand or throw it rather than dig and pour. You can make sandbox time a fun, learning experience
Health Hints
Well-Baby Checkup: 12 months. Do it now!
Things You Can Do Every Day to Help Your Child Grow
• Read to your child every day. Storytime is an excellent way to wind down before naptime or bedtime. It helps to create a routine, such as, "It's bedtime. Get your favorite book so we can read."
• Help your child learn how to hold books—turned right-side up and starting at the front of the book. Teach them that they are fun to look at but should be handled gently. Patiently teach them that books are not for chewing or tearing. (Accidents will happen. Have tape handy to repair torn pages. Don’t make a big deal out of a bent or torn page.) It is very important to have books in your home. Picture books and rhyming books are good books for a start.
• Encourage them to express their feelings with words. For example: "Oh, you bumped your head. I know that hurts. Tell me where it hurts."
• Give your child time outdoors. Let them run and play. Climbing in and out of boxes is a favorite game. Remember to watch them closely when outside—they can move pretty fast when they want to!