Milestones at 12 months
Around the first birthday the checklist shifts toward intention and imitation: waving bye-bye, a special name for a parent, understanding "no", and looking for a toy hidden under a blanket. Pulling up to stand and cruising along furniture are listed, but walking alone is not; that appears at 15 months on the revised checklists.
CDC's 12-month checklist lists 10 milestones: 1 social and emotional, 3 language and communication, 2 cognitive and 4 movement and physical development. The largest group at this age is movement and physical development, with 4 items. Each one is something most children (75% or more) can do by 12 months, so many children do it earlier.
No standardized screening is routinely scheduled at the 12-month visit, but you can ask for one at any visit if you have a concern. The checkpoint before this one is 9 months, with 13 milestones. The next is 15 months, with 13. For a baby born before 37 weeks, compare with the checklist for the corrected age until 2.
No standardized screening is routinely scheduled at 12 months; ask for one if you have a concern. Next checkpoint: 15 months.
Screening ages: AAP, via CDCSocial and emotional1 items
“Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC
Language and communication3 items
“Waves “bye-bye””
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC
Cognitive (learning, thinking, problem-solving)2 items
“Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC
Movement and physical development4 items
“Pulls up to stand”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Walks, holding on to furniture”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC“Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food”
Most children (75%+) by 12 months · many earlier · Source: CDC
Checklist items quoted from CDC’s “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” milestones for 12 months (Source: CDC). “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” materials are not a substitute for standardized, validated developmental screening tools.
If something is “not yet”
“You know your child best. Don’t wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child’s doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.”
Source: CDC, milestone checklist for 12 months
- Write down the items you answered “Not yet” or “Not sure”, with an example of what you see at home.
- Bring the list to your child’s doctor and ask whether a developmental screening is a good next step.
- Under 3? Call your state’s early intervention program and ask for a free evaluation. You don’t need a referral.
- 3 or older? Call your local public elementary school and ask for a preschool special education evaluation.