When my baby started pulling up and taking her first steps at 9 months, it was a proud moment. I encouraged her development with tummy time, a mattress for crawling, and foam shapes for pulling up and cruising. Creating a safe and stimulating environment was key to helping her reach these milestones. Toys, books, and even sign language play an essential role in nurturing physical, cognitive, social, emotional, and language development.
Reading and teaching sign language to your 1-year-old can enhance their ability to communicate, strengthen emotional bonds, and support milestones. Here’s a detailed look at how to support each milestone with the right tools.
Developmental milestones for 1-year-olds
Physical milestones
• Gross motor skills: Walking, crawling, and pulling up.
• Fine motor skills: Stacking blocks, feeding with hands or a spoon.
Toys to support physical milestones
Books to support physical milestones
Sleep milestones
- Transitioning from multiple naps to one or two naps per day.
- Sleeping 10-12 hours at night with fewer awakenings.
- Developing the ability to self-soothe and fall asleep independently.
Products to support sleep and bedtime routine milestones.
Books to support sleep milestones
Cognitive milestones
• Problem-solving: Recognizing shapes and experimenting with cause and effect.
• Understanding: Recognizing familiar objects and following simple instructions.
Toys to support cognitive milestones
Books to support cognitive milestones
Social and emotional milestones
• Engaging with others: Showing preferences and seeking comfort.
• Emotional expression: Displaying emotions like joy or frustration.
Toys to support social and emotional milestones
Books to support social and emotional milestones
Language milestones
• Expressive language: Saying simple words like “mama” or “ball.”
• Receptive language: Recognizing names, common words, and simple signs.
Why sign language is important
Teaching sign language at this stage can help bridge the gap between understanding and speaking. Babies often understand more than they can express verbally, and signs like “more,” “milk,” and “help” can reduce frustration, enhance communication, and support language development.
Toys to support language
Books to support language and sign language milestones
Why reading and sign language matter for 1-year-olds
Reading and sign language aren’t just about learning—they’re about connection. Both help babies express themselves, enhance cognitive and language development, and reduce frustration. Incorporate reading and signing into your daily routine:
• Use books with interactive features like flaps or textures.
• Start with basic signs like “milk,” “eat,” and “more,” pairing them with spoken words.
• Make reading and signing part of bedtime to build a calming routine.
By combining toys, books, and sign language, you’ll give your child a strong foundation to thrive and communicate in meaningful ways.