As your child approaches their first birthday, you may start noticing big shifts in how they move, communicate, and interact. Here’s what development looks like at this stage.
Written by: William Huynh, Director of Brighter Futures Allied Health
Published: 02 April 2026
Note: These milestones are based on functional allied health domains such as communication, movement, play, and daily skills. They differ from early childhood education frameworks like ACECQA or EYLF, which focus more on learning environments and curriculum outcomes. Functional milestones are used by clinicians to understand how a child is developing in everyday life, and whether additional support may be helpful.
Disclaimer: The information on this page is intended as general guidance only and should not replace professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have concerns about your child’s development or behaviour, speaking with a qualified healthcare professional is recommended.
At 12 months, many babies are becoming more intentional in how they communicate and move. You may notice your child seeking you out more, using gestures, sounds, or early words to get your attention or share something of interest. This stage often marks a shift from reacting to the world to actively participating in it.
There is often a growing sense of independence too. Your child may be exploring more physically, pulling up, cruising, or attempting steps, while also showing preferences, emotions, and stronger connections with familiar people.
At 12 months, communication becomes more purposeful. Children begin to understand more than they can say and use a mix of sounds, gestures, and early words to express themselves.
Common milestones:
Why it matters: Gestures and early words are key indicators of communication development. They show that your child is learning how to share attention, request, and interact with others.
Physical development at 12 months often centres around mobility and coordination. Many children are becoming more confident in upright positions.
Common milestones:
Why it matters: These movements support independence and exploration. Fine motor skills like grasping are also essential for feeding, play, and later self-care tasks.
Play becomes more interactive and purposeful as children approach their first birthday. They also begin to understand how objects and people relate to each other.
Common milestones:
Why it matters: These skills reflect growing problem-solving abilities and understanding of the world. They form the foundation for more complex play and learning.
At this stage, children are becoming more socially aware and involved in everyday routines.
Common milestones:
Why it matters: Social interaction and routine participation help children develop emotional security, independence, and early self-help skills.
“Many parents feel like their child should be ‘talking more’ at 12 months. But in the clinic, what we look for is not just words, but intentional communication. Gestures like pointing, showing, and seeking attention are just as important as spoken words at this stage and are strong indicators that communication is developing well.”
— William Huynh, MSPA-CPSP
Brighter Futures Allied Health Director
Every child develops at their own pace, but some signs may be worth exploring further. Consider seeking support if your child:
Simple, everyday interactions can support your child’s development at 12 months.
Pair simple words with gestures (e.g. “bye-bye” with waving) to support understanding and communication.
Place toys slightly out of reach to encourage pulling up, cruising, and stepping.
Clapping, waving, or copying sounds helps build social connection and early learning.
As you get to know your child’s development, you might be wondering what to look for next.
If your baby is generally progressing and you’re simply looking to stay informed, you may also find it helpful to look at other stages to see how development builds over time:
If you’re unsure what’s typical or what to expect next, checking in with a GP, paediatrician, or allied health provider can help you feel more confident moving forward.
William Huynh is a senior speech pathologist and the director of Brighter Futures Allied Health. He has over a decade of experience working with children and adults with complex communication needs, including disability, dysphagia, and acquired language impairments. William has completed specialist training in approaches such as Key Word Sign, LAMP Words for Life, Grid 3, and Hanen’s More Than Words. He also supervises speech pathologists and student placements, supporting evidence-based and family-centred practice.
