Hello Parents!
Welcome to 10-12 months! By now your baby is very busy and is starting to move around the house more. She may be crawling, standing by herself, walking while holding onto furniture, or walking well all on her own. If you have steps in the house, she may be trying to climb them. You’ve probably noticed that she loves to push and pull things. She’s strong, she’s mobile, and she’s curious: Now is a great time to “babyproof” everything around the house! Make sure to lock or block your cabinets. If you have stairs at home, think about teaching your baby to go down them on her belly feet-first.
What to Expect at 10 to 12 Months
• Your baby may be ready to try soft finger foods, like small pieces of banana. Make sure soft foods are cut into very small pieces so she can swallow them easily.
• Children at this age are just beginning to notice when two things are alike, especially shoes, socks, or toys. Hold one of the shoes or socks and ask your child to look for its match. This is a great way to promote problem solving.
• Spend a lot of time encouraging wanted behaviors rather than punishing unwanted behaviors. Use positive language and tell your child what you want him to do.
• Praise your child with hugs and kisses and recognize good behavior. Help your child recognize and understand his feelings. Give words to his feelings, like: “I see you are very frustrated” or “I can see you feel sad.” This helps your child become aware of his feelings and teaches him how to express them in a positive way.
Activities to Help your Child Grow and Learn
• Find time to go to the library or bookstore and pick up new books with your child. Story time is a great time to cuddle up and read together. Talk about what you see in the book and take turns pointing out pictures and turning pages. This is a great way to promote language development and work on your child’s fine motor skills.
• Your child can help with small jobs like putting toys away. Include him in these small daily activities and let him know that he’s an important part of the family.
Resources for Parents
We have some great resources for parents in this community, including free and low-cost parenting classes. Sierra Nevada Children’s Services and The Nest are two great places to start. Check out 211’s Children & Youth guided search page for information about all kinds of local programs for families.
Or give us a call at 2-1-1 (or 877-847-0499). We look forward to talking with you!
Sources:
ASQ-3 Learning Activities, Elizabeth Twombly and Ginger Fink