Watching your child grow and develop into an adult is one of the most exciting parts of being a parent. It may seem like the first year of a baby's life brings the most milestones, but there are still plenty of new adventures to be had as the baby becomes a toddler.
At the age of twelve months, the baby will typically begin to exercise more muscles as he or she develops and refines his or her fine motor skills. As a result, children at this age tend to push, pull, or throw any object that crosses their path. It is important for parents to remember that these are not acts of defiance but rather attempts to play and engage with those around them. One-year-olds also enjoy creating sounds by banging objects together and exploring their surrounding world.
Car Toddler Bed
As the twelve-month-old begins to exert more independence, it is important for parents to establish a firm sense of routine. For instance, getting the child to bed at the same time every night is very important for creating consistency. Reading a bedtime story or taking a bath might be part of this nighttime routine.
Children at this age also begin to use spoons and other utensils to feed themselves. This is an important milestone and yet another step in the direction of independence. After one year of age, parents can also begin introducing new foods to their child's diet. These foods, which are off-limits to infants under the age of one, include cow's milk, honey, eggs, peanuts, shellfish, wheat, and citrus fruits. Some pediatricians will recommend introducing these foods slowly to avoid the risk of allergies.
By twelve months of age, the child should also be able to answer simple questions. With each passing day, he or she should be further developing his or her language skills. This makes for an exciting time as parents watch their one-year-old grow into a walking, talking, and increasingly dependent little person.