The age of one is a crucial period when your baby's relationship with the world begins to shift. At this age, your baby is no longer just an observer; they are a little explorer who wants to touch, grasp, try, and react. Therefore, their movements are bolder and their reactions clearer. However, they still need adult supervision and a safe space.
Your one-year-old baby might stand up by holding onto the edge of a table one day, and the next day want to take a few steps with the support of your hand. Additionally, you might notice them only making sounds one day and repeating a word the next. These small changes are natural and expected parts of the one-year-old developmental stage. So, what kinds of developments can be observed in which areas during this period?
Let's take a closer look at your 1-year-old baby's development.
What are the changes observed in a 1-year-old baby's development?
Of course, every baby's development is unique. However, studies in the field of child development offer some common skills observed around the age of one as guides for parents. These indicators are not a "to-do list," but rather a framework for observing a child's development.
As UNICEF points out, one year old is a milestone where babies officially begin to grow. This is because at this age, babies usually start taking their first steps. Once they start walking, they explore their surroundings more actively and curiously. In addition, they tend to become more active in terms of communication. Beyond making sounds, using words can be observed more actively in your baby starting at one year old.
To better understand your child's development during this period, let's examine the process under a few headings.
Social and Emotional Development
One-year-old babies begin to form stronger bonds with people they feel safe with. At this age, emotions are still expressed through body language. Therefore, crying, making sounds, and reaching out their bodies towards you are common reactions.
Here are some ways your one-year-old child can learn to connect with the people around them:
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When he wants to hear a story, he hands you a book.
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They cry when their parents leave their side.
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He is shy around strangers.
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They extend their arm or leg to help with dressing.
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They might be his favorite toys.
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It repeats sounds to get your attention.
These behaviors indicate that the baby is beginning to explore the social world. Separation reactions or restlessness are quite common during this period and are part of the bonding process.
Language and Communication Development
Around the age of one, language development is still based more on understanding and the desire to communicate than on verbal production. Babies begin to understand words and recognize their correct context before they can say them.
The most frequently observed developments in language and communication during this period can be listed as follows:
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They try to say or repeat simple words (like mom, dad).
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He understands some of the words and instructions given.
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He points to the object he wants and describes it.
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They communicate through sounds, facial expressions, and body movements.
As these developments show, for a one-year-old, the important indicator of development is not the child's speaking ability or the number of words they can pronounce, but their willingness to communicate.
Cognitive Development
Cognitive development is related to how a baby makes sense of their environment. In one-year-old babies, relationships with objects are just beginning to form.
During this period, your baby;
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He imitates movements and gestures.
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It can make sound by hitting objects together.
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He finds hidden things.
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When spoken aloud, it looks at the correct object.
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It can follow simple instructions and release objects without assistance.
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It can put objects in and take them out of containers.
For example, noticing the sound when they drop a toy and repeating it, or watching you and imitating a similar action, are natural indicators of cognitive development around the age of one.
Movement and Physical Development
The age of one is a preparatory and transitional period for motor skills. Although babies aren't yet fully balanced, their desire to move is very high during this time.
Here are some behaviors that are frequently observed in babies during this period:
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He straightens up to stand.
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It can walk by holding onto furniture.
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They can drink from a glass and begin to use other objects correctly.
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It can hold small objects, like pieces of food, between its thumb and index finger.
In short, at this stage your child can stand up and start walking independently without help from you or furniture. As your child gets better at walking, they can even climb stairs and furniture.
But remember, while the age of one is a time when first steps can be taken, it's also a period of preparation. So, while independent walking may begin in some babies at this age, for most it may still be a preparation phase.
What can you do to support your child's development?
For a one-year-old child, learning happens more through experimentation and exploration than through planned activities. Therefore, you can support both your child's motor development and communication skills by providing small opportunities in daily life.
Play Subtract and Put Games
You can give your child containers into which they can put objects and take them out again. This could be a box, a basket, or a safe container you use in the kitchen. Children will want to try taking these objects out and putting them back in repeatedly on their own. These repetitions are very valuable for developing hand-eye coordination and strengthening hand muscles.
Stacked Blocks Index
Offer your child blocks, containers, or soft objects to stack. Sometimes they manage to stack a few, sometimes they want to try more. Most of the time, they enjoy knocking over the tower they've built. This game not only supports fine motor skills but also helps them discover cause-and-effect relationships and balance.
Ask Simple Questions
During this period, you can ask your child short, clear questions. Every response they give, whether in words or gestures, is an indication of their desire to communicate. Responding to their answers and encouraging them to continue speaking is a strong incentive for language development.
Furthermore, turning simple questions into fun games keeps the child's interest alive. Questions like "Where is your toe?" or "Where is the tree?" can help them become aware of both their body and their surroundings.
Explore the world around you together.
Try talking about what you see while walking in nature, looking at a picture, or moving around inside the house. Naming the environment with simple words like "tree," "cat," and "ball" will support both the child's vocabulary and attention span. During these conversations, you may notice that your child is more willing to move and explore the environment.
Give names to what they did.
When your child is filling a box or carrying an object, it's very effective to put their task into words. Simple sentences like "You're filling the box" help the child connect their actions with words. It also helps them feel their work is noticed, boosting their self-confidence.
Turn your daily routines into communication opportunities.
Continue talking to your child while they are eating, bathing, or doing other things around you. Even if they don't fully understand what you're saying at first, you may soon notice them responding to your words and tone. It's also a natural part of this process for them to start following simple instructions over time.
In short, supporting the development of a one-year-old child means being there for them, allowing them to experiment, and noticing every little discovery they make, rather than directing them.
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Expert Opinion To boost your baby's self-esteem and self-confidence, always maintain a positive approach to your child's learning process. Instead of saying "No," "Bad," or "Not good," try saying "Yes," "Good," and "Well done" more often. |
Remember that one year old is actually the beginning of growth. However, your baby doesn't have to learn a new skill every day as they grow. Sometimes they just repeat, sometimes they watch, and sometimes they don't want to do anything at all. All of this is part of the natural flow of development. As a parent, the most valuable thing you can do is not try to speed up this process, but to confidently accompany your baby as they progress at their own pace. And Doodle is always there for you during this developmental and transformative process.
Designed to suit children's hand shapes, Doodle pens allow your child to leave their mark, use their hands more consciously, and progress at their own pace during this exploration process.
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