Sure Fire Language Activities for your Twelve-Month-Old!

What ideas and activities will help my twelve-month-old baby’s development? (12 months +)

Twelve months old! Your baby will soon be a toddler!

When you look at a new baby, your twelve-month-old looks so-o-o big! Did you have fun at your 12-Month-Old Baby’s First Birthday?

If it hasn’t already happened – your twelve-month-old baby will begin moving around the house in an upright position! As a result, he/she will soon be able to obtain more speed… along with the giggles… walking, and soon running! Therefore, you will soon find yourself chasing after your toddler! (Remember that this is just a guideline… all children are unique and meet milestones at their own pace.)

Read books!

Your twelve-month-old will be ready to have an established bedtime routine. Reading stories in your child’s bedroom every time she naps or goes to bed at night helps to make a habit of reading together, encourages a lifelong love of reading, and clearly indicates it’s time for sleep… even if you are away from home or need a babysitter. (My grandkids also insist on Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star at least 2 times!!)

Certainly, keep the books simple, and don’t worry if you have to create a story or just refer to the pictures.

Books that have smells or something to touch or feel are especially exciting… and you’ve probably noticed that a favorite book may become a story that is read and re-read every night!

Six rhyming books for toddlers that you can sing!

Sing songs and listen to music with your child.

Watch your baby dance and move to the rhythm of the music! Hearing the music or listening to the words repeat themselves helps develop an awareness of sequencing and patterns. It’s hard to imagine that it’s only been 3 months since your baby was a 9-month-old!

Vocabulary

Your twelve-month-old can probably babble in what sounds like a short sentence… although his/her vocabulary probably consists of a few words besides “mama” and “dada.” As the opportunity arises, introduce new words to your baby through stories, on neighborhood walks, and in the backyard!

Model using complete sentences. (e.g., Child: “Truck!” … You: “Yes, that’s a truck. It’s a big, red truck!”) Keep talking to your toddler, and label things every day. Count stair steps as you climb them, and point out the names and colors of fruits and vegetables.

Connect animals and their sounds. (i.e., The cat says “Meow.”)

Be prepared for communication from your child through gestures or words.

Talk with your twelve-month-old child.

During play, remember to talk face-to-face with your child. Your toddler will study your mouth as you make letters and sounds. How does your mouth move? What is your tongue doing? Did you put your lips together?

Have you noticed that your twelve-month-old is throwing, pushing toys, and knocking over towers with glee? For example, have pots and pans become a favorite toy? Toddlers love banging pots together, which usually results in lots of noise! Your child will enjoy games where he/she can put things in containers and dump them out again! (As a result, they are learning about cause and effect!)

Making choices: Even at this young age, one of my granddaughters had a definite opinion as to what she would wear… or the color of her socks!

Support your child’s learning by asking simple questions and modeling the answer. (e.g., Ask, “Where’s your nose?” and point to it. “Can you get me the bowl” and gesture toward the object.)

Try giving your child simple one-step directions. (i.e., “Bring me your socks.”)