Articles (EN)

How to develop a child at 10-12 months

2026-05-26 12:00 Development
In short: At 10-12 months, the child stands, walks the first steps and says the first conscious words. This is a time of active self-reliance: allow yourself to explore safely and keep curiosity going.

What happens at 10-12 months

The penultimate and last quarters of the first year are a time of rapid growth in independence. The child stands without support, takes the first steps, pronounces the first conscious words. At the same time, the desire "I want it myself" and the first manifestations of will grow.
For more information about development at this age, see the large article Child Development from 0 to 12 Months. About walking and its norms - in the article when a child begins to walk.

Walking Support: What Helps

Walking does not need special training - the brain and muscles will mature on their own. But the environment can help:
  • Remove unnecessary furniture - you need space for movement
  • A pusher (not a walker!) is a good support for the first steps
  • Call the child to you from a distance of one or two steps, stretch out your hands
  • Around the house – barefoot or in non-slip socks: feet feel the surface better
  • Praise for trying, not just for success
Walkers are not recommended by the AAP: they create the illusion of walking, but they delay real development and are dangerous for injuries.

Games for fine motor skills

  • Sorter: puts shapes into holes – develops spatial thinking
  • Cups: puts one inside the other, builds a tower
  • Cardboard books: turns pages, pokes at a picture
  • Bags of cereals: sorts out, pours under supervision
  • Lid Removal: Screws and unscrews plastic caps (safe)
Read more about games for development under one year in a separate article.

Speech: Supporting First Words

At 10-12 months, conscious words appear. How to support:
  • Comment on all actions: "mom puts on shoes", "we go for a walk"
  • Do not rush and do not demand: "Say mom" – pressure reduces motivation
  • Read simple books and ask: "Where is the cat?"
  • Sing poems with actions: "ladushki", "magpie-crow"
  • Name body parts when changing clothes and bathing
Read more about the norms and stages of speech development in a separate article.

Independence and security

The year is the time of the first steps towards autonomy. The child wants to hold a spoon himself, put on a sock himself, climb on the sofa himself. It is important to maintain:
  • Allow them to "help" with food – dirt and mess are included in the price of development
  • Remove the dangerous, but let the safe
  • Say "no" calmly and without shouting – the child learns boundaries from your behavior
It is at this age that many parents notice the first manifestations of what is called the crisis of 1 year.

Feeding and sleeping

By the age of one, the diet expands: the child eats more and more common food. It is important to offer variety and not to put pressure when rejecting new things. Breastfeeding can last as long as it is convenient for the mother and child.
Sleep changes at this stage are discussed in the article on sleep norms by age.

When to see a doctor

  • At 12 months, there is not a single conscious word
  • No pointing gesture
  • Not worth it with support
  • He does not look for an object hidden in front of his eyes
  • Doesn't respond to name
  • Lost the skills I already had

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it necessary to specifically "teach" to walk?

No. Walking is a genetically programmed skill. Your role is to create a safe space, motivation zones (interesting objects a little further away) and support emotionally. Forced "training" of walking does not speed up and can reduce motivation.

A child at one year does not say a word – is there any need to worry?

If there are no conscious words at 12 months, it is worth discussing this with a pediatrician. But the context is important: whether the child understands speech, whether there is babbling, whether there are gestures. If you are anxious, do not wait – an early consultation is always better than waiting.

Conclusion

At 10-12 months, the child is on the threshold of a new world. Support his first steps, both literal and metaphorical. Create opportunities for exploration, talk, read, and trust your child's pace.

Bibliography

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics. (2023). Developmental Milestones: 12 Months. HealthyChildren.org.
  2. WHO. (2006). WHO Motor Development Study. Bulletin of the World Health Organization, 84(7).
  3. Tamis-LeMonda C.S., Bornstein M.H., Baumwell L. (2001). Maternal responsiveness and children's achievement of language milestones. Child Development, 72(3), 748–767.
  4. Adolph K.E., Hoch J.E. (2019). Motor Development. Annual Review of Psychology, 70, 141–164.
  5. AAP. (2023). Choosing Safe Baby Products: Infant Walkers. HealthyChildren.org.
This material is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice and is not a substitute for medical advice. If you are concerned about your child's development, consult your pediatrician or pediatric neurologist.