You just celebrated your baby’s big day – their first birthday. Can you believe your little baby is one year old?! The journey has been truly gratifying, and the one ahead is even more exciting and full of possibilities. As your baby acquires more gross motor skills, they will have more freedom to express themselves and create long-lasting memories.
Let’s look at the gross motor milestones that your toddler will accomplish between the age of 12 to 18 months:
Walks Independently: Your toddler’s walk will look less wobbly as they begin to walk independently. Not to say there won’t be a few bumps along the ride as babies learn to walk progressively at their own pace.
Standing and Squatting: Walking without your help is not the only thing your toddler can do. They can als squat down to pick up an object and use their hands to push themselves back up. This milestone indicates good head control, muscle strength, and better coordination.
Stair Love: Your toddler has already given climbing up and down the stairs a try but needed your help. They are now able to climb with more precision and coordination. Let your baby get some stair practice, as it helps them strengthen their muscles, coordinate the whole body, and maintain balance.
Baby on the Move: Stairs are not the only thing that your toddler will climb. With their never-ending quest for curiosity and improved mobility, they will climb in and out of objects like highchairs, strollers, and cribs. Your toddler will also try to climb the playground structures on their trips to the park. It is essential to let your toddler climb up things as it builds the necessary balance and strength. It might not seem too high, but these climbs equal climbing a mountain for your little one. Make sure to supervise these up-hill battles.
Kicking and Throwing: Between the age of 12 to 18 months, your toddler will be able to kick a ball, even if it’s only a few inches. The movement requires your baby to have the right balance and the strength to lift one foot at a time. Following the kicks, they will soon be able to throw the balls while standing as well.
Toys: Your baby can do so much more with their toys now. They can push and pull the toys towards themselves while walking and ride on wheeled toys. It may take some practice to alternate between each foot for the ride. They will also be able to walk backward while pulling their favorite toys. Walking backward is a more advanced motor skill than walking forward as it involves the use of glutes and posterior leg muscles.
Self-Dressing: With improved dexterity and advanced fine and gross motor skills, your baby will love to assist you while you dress or undress them. Putting on a hat, for example, helps your baby improve their coordination skills and develop limb strength.
As your toddler grows, you’ll discover more exciting new things that they can do independently. They are gradually reaching the age of independence. Allow your baby to explore their environment and develop the motor skills they need.
Milestones, whether big or small, are essential for your toddler’s development. Use Marble as your trusted source to parent with confidence.
Back
