Baby milestones: 8-12 months

Gets to sitting position without help

During this time, your child will move into a sitting position where they can look for and explore toys, books, and new activities. Help them develop skills such as hand clapping and other hand games.

Creeps or crawls on tummy

Your child is moving! At this time, they may begin to crawl, crawl on their stomachs, or fidget on their buttocks. Don't worry about their style. As long as they use the arms and legs on either side of the body to move, it's fine. Encourage driving by putting an interesting toy out of reach.

Rocking back and forth on hands and knees

Rocking on hands and knees is your baby's last step before crawling. They develop the muscles in their arms and legs so they can move forward. Give them plenty of supervised time outside of the crib, car seat, and stroller so they can move around and strengthen their arms and legs.

Goes from sitting to crawling

If he can sit well without support, your baby will learn to get on all fours. Soon they will be pushing their knees to crawl. Once they are agile, set up pillows, cushions, and boxes so they can crawl on and around them. Always supervise this activity and make sure your home is childproof!

Can walk holding onto furniture

Your child is "navigating". Make sure sharp corners are softened and furniture is securely fastened. Hold your child's hands while he walks to help him exercise. Or let them push a strong walking toy under supervision. Their first steps alone are fast approaching.

Can stand up for a moment and can take two or three steps

By 8-12 months, your baby's chest and leg muscles are strong enough to stand up unaided. Rolling over, sitting on their own and crawling increased their confidence. Make sure poisons and drugs are locked up and security gates are in place.

Uses pincer grasp

Your child moves from a raking grip to a precise pincer grip with fingers and thumb. For practice, give them small snacks. Avoid choking hazards, including small toys for older children and foods such as grapes, nuts, peanuts, and raw vegetables.

Bangs two cubes and place items in and out of the container

Your child's hands are busy putting things in and out of containers and hitting them. You don't need to invest in a battery just yet. Almost anything safe will do, including pots and pans, plastic containers, wooden spoons, and egg cartons.

Tries to imitate scribbling

Your little one has made his first doodles. They imitate what their parents and older siblings do. Encourage them to draw on the sidewalk with large sidewalk chalk. Or customize them for drawing with bold, durable crayons and thick paper.

Uses body language to communicate and can answer "no"

Although he is not yet using words, your child is using his body to speak. They point to objects and may nod yes or no. They may stop when you say "No!" and "Oh." They can say goodbye. Help them learn the words with nursery rhymes, songs and books. Name objects for them often.

Can pronounce "dada" or other strings of sounds to imitate words

Did the baby say her first word? Was it "dada"? If so, don't take it personally, mom. Now they have a chain of sounds, and "m" is more difficult to pronounce than "d". In fact, they probably stumbled across "dada" by accident. But very soon they will say both "mom" and "dad" and mean it.

Can shake, hit or throw objects

What could be more interesting for a child than dropping an object and watching you pick it up again and again? They don't want to test your patience. They learn how the world works by shaking, hitting, throwing and dropping objects. Play with texture books, balls and toys.

Finds hidden objects easily

A few months ago, if you hid a toy under the covers while your child was watching, it wouldn't do anything. Now easy to find. They study "object permanence".

Begins to use objects correctly

The nearly one-year-old who used to type on his mobile phone not so long ago is now dialing a number and holding the receiver to his ear. They learn that objects have names and purposes. Give them a comb, cup or spoon and see how they play with them now.

May be shy or anxious with strangers

Your outgoing child suddenly becomes worried about others, even parents and nannies. Fear of a stranger is one of the first emotional stages of a child. Around new people or in new places, hold them back and give them time to adjust. Ask your loved ones to let the baby take the first step.

Cries when mother or father leaves

Separation anxiety begins with stranger anxiety. Your baby understands that he is separate from you and that sometimes you are not around. They can make a lot of noise, but don't sneak up on them. Always say goodbye and tell them you'll be back. Eventually they will realize that you are still doing it.

Likes to imitate people while playing

Your child is now imitating things that go far beyond imitating faces and sounds. While playing, they like to imitate what people do. Give them a plastic bowl and spoon and let them "cook" with you, or let them "drive" the dashboard of a toy car.

Finger feeds themselves

When feeding your baby with your fingers, make sure that these are foods that he can rub off. This includes cereal, grated cheese and small pieces of tofu, well-cooked fruit or vegetables, or a ripe banana. Avoid foods such as raw vegetables, hard fruits, whole grapes, nuts, raisins, popcorn, hard cheese, and hot dogs that can cause choking.