12 Month Old Milestones & Development

12 Month Old Milestones & Development (Canada)

The developmental milestones many babies reach around 12 month old — across motor, language, social and thinking skills. A guide, not a checklist.

Milestones around 12 month old

  • Pulls to stand and cruises
  • Says one or two words
  • Waves and claps
  • Finger-feeds well

How to support development at 12 month old

Talk, sing and read to your baby, give plenty of supervised floor and tummy time, and offer simple toys that match this stage. Responsive, everyday interaction is what helps most.

Play & learning: sensory toys, play mats & gyms, stacking toys, baby books & tummy-time gear. See sleep needs at this age on our sleep schedule page.

Frequently asked questions

What should a 12 month old be doing?

Around this age, many babies pulls to stand and cruises and says one or two words. Ranges are wide and normal.

What toys are good for a 12 month old?

Simple, open-ended toys that match their stage — sensory toys, soft books, stacking and grasping toys.

General developmental information only, not medical advice. Every baby develops at their own pace and reaching milestones a little earlier or later is usually normal. If you have any concerns, speak with your healthcare provider.