Developmental Checklist
9 to 12 Months

Things Your Baby May Do At This Age

Explore and handle objects: wave, shake, twist, turn, squeeze, poke and even put them in his mouth
Move a toy from one hand to the other
Hold 2 toys at the same time; maybe hit them together
Crawl while holding a toy
Pull string to get the toy at the other end
Pick up small objects between thumb and 1 or 2 fingers, although not with ease
Take steps alone; walk like a robot; crawl up stairs
Begin to say some words
Walk if one or both hands are held
Pull self up to stand and move while holding on to furniture (cruising)

Limit your baby’s time in play-pens, jump seats or behind a gate.
Remove dangerous items (such as house plants or cleaning products) that are within his reach.
Lock doors and cabinets as your baby begins to cruise and climb. Remember: Any tools, knives, firearms, matches or lighters can be deadly to your little one. These objects must be safely stored in an area your child cannot open.
Supervise him when crawling or cruising. He could fall down stairs, bump into things or pull things over on himself, such as pots on the stove.
Always use a car seat when your child is riding in a car.
Remember: never leave open buckets of water out as your baby could tumble into the bucket head first.
Car seats should be used at all times and should be rear-facing in the back seat until the child is both over one year of age and over twenty pounds.

Well Baby Check-ups: 9 months, 12 months.
Immunization at 12 months: HIB, Polio, MMR, PCV, Hepatitis B and (if not given at six months) Chickenpox vaccine (Varicella).
Offer a plastic drinking cup to begin limiting when and where the bottle is used. Your baby’s teeth are beginning to come in and a bottle can lead to poor mouth development and cavities.
Avoid giving him too many snacks as a way to occupy your baby when he is bored or when you are busy.
Continue wiping first teeth with a clean, damp cloth or brush with a very soft, tiny infant toothbrush moistened with water.

Your baby can begin to feed himself finger foods.
She can begin to feed herself with a baby spoon.
Feed your baby iron-fortified cereal, mashed vegetables, and fruit, ground meat and fruit juice (limiting the fruit juice to ý cup of juice each day and refilling her cup with water).
By ten to twelve months, wean your baby from the bottle. Breast feeding can continue. Introduce whole milk. Do not offer low fat milk until 2 years of age.
By ten to twelve months your baby can eat these family foods: vegetables and fruit, cereal, bread, whole eggs, mashed beans, fish, meat and cheese.

Remember to encourage your baby to talk when you ask a question or are trying to locate something: “Would you like to go outside?” or “Can you find your doll?”
Expand your daily reading materials and think numbers: “Let’s read one book.”
Remember, your baby must learn about these things: hot and cold, up and down, in and out, empty and full, stand and sit, wet and dry and big and little.
Encourage your baby to crawl, climb and cruise by providing safe places both indoors and outdoors.
Help your baby understand relationships by explaining how things work. “The stove is hot. It will burn and hurt you.” Or, “When we turn the light on, we can see better.”

Please call or email us today to start your child on a path to making First Connections!