By the age of 1 year, a child should have a range of cognitive, physical, social and emotional skills.
Your child has reached one of the most memorable periods of infancy – 1 year. He already understands simple directions. Many children at this age can walk and recognize familiar people.
The age of 1 year marks the beginning of early childhood, a period in which many surprises await you as a parent. Let’s see what skills a child should develop by one year.
List of the development indicators of a one year old child
| Achieved development indicators | Emerging Development Indicators |
| The child gets to his feet with support | The child stands up without support |
| The child can walk a few steps on his own | Child can walk longer distances |
| Child can speak simple single words | The child can speak simple phrases |
| The child imitates actions and gestures | The child remembers gestures and shows them in his own way |
| Child responds to simple instructions | Child understands more complex directions and instructions |
| The child repeats the sounds | The child remembers sounds and their sources |
| The child remembers where the object was the last time he saw it | The child puts things in their place |
| The child grabs objects with his hands | Child can bend over and pick up objects |
| Child points to objects with index finger | The child has developed movements with all fingers |
| The child has developed hand-eye coordination | The child develops coordination of vision, hands and feet |
Child development indicators at 1 year
Child development occurs in three main areas: cognitive, physical and socio-emotional. At the age of one year, the child develops new skills in each of these areas.
Indicators of cognitive development
These indicators are associated with the development of cognitive functions, intellectual abilities and the overall development of the brain.
- The child easily finds hidden objects. The baby will no longer be confused if you hide the baby rattle under the blanket. He knows to pull back the blanket to get the rattle.
- The child looks for objects in familiar places. If you always keep your child’s toy in the same place, he will look for it there every time he wants to play with it. This means that the child’s visual memory is well-developed.
- The child associates objects well with their names. If you put a basket of fruits in front of the child and say the name of one fruit in it, he will choose this particular fruit from the basket. At the age of one year, the child easily remembers the names of everyday objects.
- The child uses the items for their intended purpose. He takes a comb to comb his hair and holds the phone properly. For months, the child watched you and by the age of one he understood how to use several objects correctly.
- The child imitates actions and gestures. Wave your hand when you leave the room – and he will repeat after you. The child observes and imitates various actions. This indicates a significant development of his brain.
- The child tries to repeat the sounds. For example, he may try to imitate a car horn or funny sounds you make when you play with him. The child may not understand where the sound comes from, but he tries to repeat it.
Indicators of physical development
These indicators are associated with the growth of the child and the development of his muscles.
- The child sits up easily. He can sit down without assistance and without leaning on any objects.
- The child can stand on his feet with support. The muscles and joints of his legs are strong enough to support his body weight.
- The child walks holding onto objects that are nearby. He begins to do this almost immediately after he has learned to stand on his feet.
- The child can take several steps without support. He lets go of your hand and takes his first steps. This marks the beginning of childhood.
- The child can pick up objects in a variety of ways. He can use his index finger and thumb, thumb and four fingers or grasp objects with his whole hand. This is how the child learns to take things out of the box and put them back in.
- The child points to objects with his index finger. He can use his index finger alone to point at things.
- The child has 6 teeth. In a one-year-old child, 3 pairs of central and lateral incisors usually erupt.
- The child has more developed vision. He develops hand-eye coordination and judges distance better. He throws objects more accurately (for example, when passing the ball).
Indicators of social and emotional development
These indicators are associated with the development of social skills, temperament and the ability to express emotions.
- The child responds to simple requests. When asked to hand over an item, he does so. When told to sit down, he sits down. The child understands simple requests and knows what to do in response.
- The child is trying to talk. Now his words are not just babble. When you talk to him, he tries to answer you. His words may still sound like gibberish to you, but you will notice his voice rise and fall as if it were a meaningful conversation.
- The child shows fear. If he sees something that frightens him, he immediately clings to his parents. He can also scream in fear when it gets dark and he can’t see his parents.
- The child is shy or anxious when around strangers. When left alone with strangers, he may panic.
- The child checks the reaction of the parents. He evaluates how his parents react to his actions – for example, when he throws an object on the floor or deliberately refuses to eat.
- The child shows preference for certain people. He prefers to spend time with one of his parents or with one of his brothers or sisters. This indicates that the child is developing social bonds.
- The child may have a favorite toy. He feels safe with it. When a child has it, he can be calm when his parents are not around. So the child becomes more independent.
Each child develops at his own pace. Some children may need more time than others to achieve one or other indicator. However, you should monitor the development of your child in order to notice the slightest deviations in time.
What could be a cause for concern?
Pediatricians say that the following symptoms may indicate a child’s developmental delay:
- the child does not stand up even with support;
- cannot take a sitting position;
- cannot sit without support;
- cannot find items when you hide them;
- does not repeat even the simplest gestures;
- does not say even the simplest words (for example, “mom” and “dad”);
- does not point fingers at objects or people;
- pulls legs or torso when crawling.
If your child shows one of these symptoms, take him to the pediatrician, who can make an accurate diagnosis. Parents should have regular check-ups with their child. In addition, parents can encourage the healthy development of the child through games and activities.
Games and activities for child development
Games and activities are a fun way to practice your child’s skills. Consider 5 games that will help your child develop properly.
1. Reach for the star
What skills does it develop: standing up, standing without support, grasping.
What you will need: Cardboard star.
How to play: Tie a rope to the star figure and hang it high enough for the child to reach out to get it. Place an object nearby that he can lean on (for example, a chair). Get the child’s attention. Invite him to reach for the star.
2. Phone call
What skills does it develop: understanding the purpose of objects, the correct use of objects.
What you need: A toy phone.
How to play: Sit next to your child and place a toy phone in front of him. Tell your child: “This is a phone.” Pick up the phone and show how you can use it to talk. The child will repeat the movements after you. Repeat this exercise every day and watch him learn how to use his phone properly. Similarly, you can show your child how to use other items.
3. Moving cubes
What skills does it develop: agility of hands and fingers.
What you will need: two toy buckets, cubes.
How to play. Put the cubes in one bucket and leave the other empty. Transfer a few cubes to an empty bucket and have your child do the same. The child will use grasping skills and finger agility to move the blocks. Repeat this action several times.
4. Little drummer
What skills it develops: establishing causes and effects, studying sounds.
What you will need: A toy drum.
How to play. Put the drum in front of the child. Give him drumsticks, take his hands in yours and drum a little. Then let him play the drum himself. Since the child loves to experiment, he will try different ways to play in order to make different sounds.
5. Oranges and lemons
What skills does it develop: association of objects with their names.
What you will need: Oranges and lemons (or any 2 other types of fruit), large bowl.
How to play. Take an orange, say “It’s an orange” and put it in a bowl. Then take a lemon, say, “It’s a lemon” and put it in the bowl too. Ask the child to show the lemon – he will immediately point to it. Then ask to see the orange. This game can be played with different items.
If you play these games with your child, it helps him develop at the right pace. But do not put pressure on the child. Give him enough time to explore the world around him and develop his skills.
If you have any doubts, show the child to the pediatrician. The sooner you detect any developmental delay, the easier it will be to correct it. Love, care and the creation of the right conditions are all that he needs for a healthy development.