By 12 months: milestone checklist
So much happens in that first year, from first sounds to those wobbly first steps. Here’s a gentle guide to what a lot of babies are doing around their first birthday — and remember, every child gets there in their own time.
Written by the Inclusive Developmental and Therapy Center therapy team · medically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS (GMC 8023727) · Last reviewed July 2026
How to use this checklist
- Go through each list and tick off every skill your child can already do.
- Try not to worry about a few “not yet”s — children grow at their own pace, and this is a gentle guide, not a test.
- Use the Ways to help ideas below to gently nudge along the skills that are still coming.
- If several skills are missing, or your child has lost skills they once had, have a look at the “when to seek advice” box and book a free check.
What most children do by their first birthday
Communication & language
- Babbles with changing sounds (“bababa”, “dadada”)
- Responds to their own name
- Understands “no” and simple words
- Says one or two words like “mama” or “dada”
- Copies sounds and gestures
Social & play
- Makes eye contact and smiles back
- Enjoys games like peekaboo and pat-a-cake
- Uses gestures — waving, reaching, pointing
- Looks at you when you point at something
Movement (motor)
- Sits without support
- Pulls to stand and may cruise along furniture
- Picks up small objects with finger and thumb
- Bangs two objects together
Ways to help your child grow
At this age, everyday play and chatter really are pure gold. Here are a few simple things you can do to help your baby along.
Copy your baby’s babble back to them, then add a word — turn “bababa” into “ball!”.
Name things all day as you go: “cup”, “roti”, “shoe” — your voice is their best teacher.
Play peek-a-boo with a dupatta and pat-a-cake — these turn-taking games build early communication.
Put a favourite toy just out of reach to encourage crawling, pulling up and cruising along the sofa.
Offer safe finger foods and small (safe) objects to practise picking up with finger and thumb.
Respond warmly to every sound and point — it teaches your baby that communication works.
Try today: Sit face to face, make a silly sound, and wait — see if your baby copies you.
When it’s worth having a chat
- Not babbling or making sounds
- No response to their name or to sounds
- No gestures like pointing or waving
- Loss of skills they once had
If several of these feel familiar, an early, gentle check can bring real clarity — and support at the point where it helps most.
Seek help straight away if your child loses skills they once had; doesn’t respond to sounds or your voice (ask for a hearing test — don’t wait); doesn’t look at faces or make eye contact; or isn’t sitting on their own by 9–10 months, or walking by 18 months. If your child is ever in immediate danger or has hurt themselves, call your local emergency number or go to your nearest emergency department now.
This checklist is a general guide and not a diagnosis — children develop at their own pace. For a clear answer, speak to a professional near you, follow a home program at home, or book an online session with us from anywhere in the world.
Questions parents ask
What should a child do by their first birthday?
So much happens in that first year, from first sounds to those wobbly first steps. Here’s a gentle guide to what a lot of babies are doing around their first birthday — and remember, every child gets there in their own time. This checklist covers communication, social, movement and self-care milestones, ways to help at home, and signs it’s worth seeking advice.
My child has missed a few of these — should I worry?
Not necessarily — every child develops at their own pace and one or two “not yet”s are common. A cluster of missed milestones, or any loss of skills, is worth a friendly check.
Not sure what the checklist is telling you?
Send us your child’s age and what you’ve noticed — we’ll help you make sense of it, gently and without pressure.
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