Your guide to enlightened PARENTING

Gross motor skills:10-12 month

Development 10-12 months

frequently asked questions from parents

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My child is not yet walking at 12 months, should I be worried?


It is not unusual for some children not to walk at 12 months. Each child develops at their own pace. Walking can usually occur between 9 and 18 months of age. If your child is exploring his environment, crawling, and standing with support, he is probably on the right track. However, if you have concerns, consult a pediatrician.

How can I help my child develop gross motor skills?

Create a safe environment to explore and encourage practicing new skills. Play with your child using toys that encourage movement, such as balls or tug toys. Let your child practice standing and walking by holding their hands.

What types of toys are best for stimulating gross motor skills at this age?

Choose toys that encourage movement and exploration. Push toys, balls, stacking blocks, and books with varying textures are great options. Play tunnels and small slides can also promote gross motor skills.

gross motor skills

10-12 Months

(Exploration and Movement)

Gross motor skills at 10-12 months are a crucial stage in your child's development. This period is marked by active exploration and constant improvement of motor skills.

Actively and safely encourage exploration and independence

of movement. This not only promotes your child's physical growth, but also stimulates their cognitive development and

faith in him. Remember that each child progresses at their own pace. Your support and patience are essential to helping them reach these important developmental milestones.

frequently asked questions from parents

When should I be concerned about my child's development?

If your child does not show interest in movement, such as crawling or standing, or if he seems rigid in his movements, it may be worth seeing a professional

Lack of reactions to environmental stimuli or a lack of social interaction at this age may also be cause for concern. Consult a pediatrician for suitable advice

When should I be concerned if my child is still not standing on his own at 12 months?

Although each child develops at their own pace, it is common

Children begin to stand without support between 9 and 12 months.

If your child is not showing interest or effort in standing at 12 months, it may be helpful to discuss his progress with a pediatrician to assess possible developmental delays

Should I encourage my child to walk using walkers or similar devices at this age?

The use of walkers is generally not recommended by pediatricians because they may encourage abnormal gait development and increase the risk of injury.

It is best to encourage your child to move in a manner

independent, providing a secure space to explore and

practice walking skills.

It's Normal If Your Baby...

Prefers to crawl rather than attempt to walk.Some children like to explore their environment on all fours before they feel ready to walk.

Frequently falls when trying to stand or walk.Falling is part of the learning process and helps your child develop balance and coordination

Walks on tiptoes at times.Many children experiment with different ways of standing and walking, including on tiptoes.

Has an irregular or unbalanced walking style.The first steps are often awkward, and it takes time to develop a smooth gait.

At times when he prefers to be carried or to remain seated.Although mobility is important, children also need comfort and time to observe their surroundings.

Shows a preference for using one hand more than the other.Although hand dominance is usually not established until later, it is common for children to begin showing a preference at this age.

Not interested in certain types of motor games.Interests and skills vary from child to child; some prefer quiet play or fine motor skills.

Sometimes seems hesitant or cautious in his movements.Caution is a natural part of learning and helps avoid injury.

Gets tired quickly during physical play.Developing muscles can fatigue easily, requiring frequent rest periods.

At times when he seems less interested in movement.Interests and energy levels can fluctuate day to day.

What happens at this age?

Walking on all fours: Generally, children start crawling at this age. Examples: going towards objects out of reach, following parents to different rooms.

Stand with support: Many children stand by holding on to furniture. Examples: standing while holding on to the sofa, trying to pull yourself up onto low objects.

Hand-eye coordination: Improved ability to grasp and manipulate objects. Examples: playing with blocks, holding spoons.

Response to stimuli: More coordinated reactions to sounds and movements. Examples: turning the head towards a sound source, following moving objects.

Space exploration: Increased curiosity to explore the environment. Examples: moving to new spaces, touching different textures.

Step Trials: Attempts to take steps with assistance. Examples: walking holding parents' hands, moving with rolling toys.

Interactive games: Increasing interest in games with parents or other children. Examples: hide and seek games, group activities.

Your contribution as a parent

As a parent, your role is to provide a safe and nurturing environment to foster these developments. This includes creating suitable play spaces, providing educational toys, and interacting regularly and playfully with your child. Encourage mobility through floor games, secure the environmentTo prevent accidents, initiate activities that stimulate coordination and motor skills, such as building blocks or books to touch.

What to do

at this age (10-12 months)

Provide a secure environment for exploration :

Remove dangerous objects, make sure furniture is stable, and create an open space for your child to move around

freely.

Encourage walking: Hold your child's hands to help them walk, or use toys that can be pushed to encourage first steps.

Offer varied motor skills games: Install cushions to crawl on, tunnels to cross, and small obstacles to climb and descend.

Promote hand-eye coordination: Play games that involve tossing and catching small balls, or activities sorting objects by shape and color.

Play balanced games: Encourage your child to stand while holding on to an object, then let go briefly to develop balance.

Stimulate curiosity with interactive games: Engage your child in simple games like hide and seek or musical activities with simple dances.

Encourage independence: Let your child try to move towards desired objects rather than always bringing them to him.

Organize playdates: Interactions with other children often stimulate gross motor skills through group games and activities.

What not to do

at this age (10-12 months)

Avoid overprotecting: Do not stop your child from exploring for fear of small falls or bumps, as this is part of learning.

Do not use walkers: Walkers can encourage inappropriate development and increase the risk of injury.

Avoid forcing yourself to walk: Do not push your child to walk before they are ready, as this may lead to frustration or fear.

Don't ignore the signs of fatigue: Forcing your child to continue physical activities when they are tired can be counterproductive.

Avoid restrictive shoes: Let your child walk barefoot or with soft shoes to allow natural development of feet and walking.

Do not limit indoor activities: Provide your child with outdoor experiences to explore different surfaces and stimulation.

Avoid overly complex games: Choosing games that are too advanced for your child's age can lead to frustration.

Do not compare: Avoid comparing your child's progress with that of other children, because each child develops at their own pace.

Do not neglect rest times: Make sure your child has enough time to rest and relax after physical activities.

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When to worry?

Lack of interest in movement: If your child shows no interest in crawling, standing, or exploring his environment, this could indicate a developmental delay.

Inability to support oneself: If he can't sit up without support or regularly collapses when trying to stand, this is a concern.

Lack of protective reflexes: If your child does not put his hands out to protect himself when he falls, this may indicate a motor development problem.

Extreme muscle stiffness or laxity: Muscles that are too tight or too loose can be a sign of neurological problems.

Regression of motor skills: Loss of acquired motor skills is an important warning sign.

Overreaction or lack of reaction to stimuli: Excessive sensitivity or a complete lack of reaction to touch or movement may indicate a problem.

Asymmetry in movement: If one side of the body is significantly less active or coordinated than the other, this may require evaluation.

Dear parents, it is crucial to remember that each child develops at his own pace. However, if you notice any of these characteristics in your child, do not hesitate to consult a professional for appropriate advice and support.

advice

Vary the gaming environments: Play indoors and outdoors to expose your child to different textures and stimulation.

Incorporate water activities: Swimming or playing in shallow water encourages motor skills in a fun and safe environment.

Use music and dance: Dancing to music is a fun way to stimulate coordination and rhythm.

Engage in follow-up activities: Track objects with eyes and body to develop eye-body coordination.

Play with balls of different sizes: Rolling, throwing and catching balls helps develop coordination and motor skills.

Encourage climbing under supervision: Climbing on age-appropriate play structures helps build strength and balance.

Incorporate crawling activities: Create a crawling path with cushions and toys to encourage your child to move around. Crawling strengthens the muscles needed for walking and improves coordination.

Play gentle challenge games: For example, putting toys just out of reach to encourage your child to move toward them.

Encourage imitation: Imitating simple movements can be a fun game and a way to learn new skills.

Integrate daily activities: Encourage your child to participate in simple tasks, such as putting toys in a bin.

Offer educational toys: Simple puzzles and building games promote thinking and coordination.

Use mirrors during play: Placing a large mirror on the floor can be fascinating for a child. By seeing themselves move, the child becomes aware of their body and its movements, which promotes spatial awareness and coordination.

As a parent, your role is to support, encourage and secure your child's development journey. Remember that love, patience, and a positive environment are the keys to helping your child thrive and develop gross motor skills.

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