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Your baby at 12 months

Happy first birthday. The CDC's 1-year checklist includes waving “bye-bye”, pulling up to stand, understanding “no” and playing games like pat-a-cake.

The CDC's milestone checklist for 1 year lists 10 things most babies (75% or more) do by 1 year, such as “Waves ‘bye-bye’” and “Pulls up to stand”. Many do them sooner. If your baby isn't doing one or more of them, or has lost a skill, the CDC says don't wait: talk with your child's doctor.

Checked October 29, 2026.

What most babies do by 1 year

Social/Emotional Milestones

  • Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake

Language/Communication Milestones

  • Waves “bye-bye”
  • Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
  • Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)

Cognitive Milestones (learning, thinking, problem-solving)

  • Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
  • Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket

Movement/Physical Development Milestones

  • Pulls up to stand
  • Walks, holding on to furniture
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
  • Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

From the CDC's “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” checklist, Milestones by 1 year, word for word (CDC page dated May 15, 2026; checked October 29, 2026). These are things most children (75% or more) can do by 1 year. The CDC's page has a photo or video of each one.

Play today

  1. Pat-a-cake, your turn

    Sing and clap, then stop halfway and wait for your baby to start the clapping again.

  2. Stand and play

    Put a favorite toy on the seat of the sofa, so your baby pulls up to stand and plays there.

    Safety: Clear the area and stay close.

  3. Under the cup

    Hide a toy under a plastic cup while your baby watches, then lift the cup together: "There it is!"

    Safety: Use a toy too big to fit in your baby's mouth.

Things to say

  • “Bye-bye! Wave bye-bye.”
  • “Up you get! You're standing!”
  • “Where's the ball? Under the cup!”

Say it, then wait. Give your baby time to answer with a look, a sound or a word, and answer back.

A song to sing

If You're Happy and You Know It. Clap your hands, stamp your feet, and pause to let your baby do the action.

The words are on Peabody's Songs with actions list.

Questions parents ask about this age

Talk to your pediatrician if…

Your baby isn't doing one or more of the things on the CDC's 1-year list above, has lost a skill they once had, or you're worried for any reason.

You know your child best. Don't wait. If your child is not meeting one or more milestones, has lost skills he or she once had, or you have other concerns, act early. Talk with your child's doctor, share your concerns, and ask about developmental screening.

If you or the doctor are still concerned, the CDC says to ask for a referral to a specialist, and to call your state's early intervention program (find the number on the CDC's list). You do not need to wait for a doctor's referral or a medical diagnosis to make this call. If your child is younger than 3 years old, contact your local early intervention system.

More from the CDC: Concerned about your child's development? If your child seems unwell, call your pediatrician, or 911 in an emergency.

What the CDC suggests you share with the doctor

  • What are some things you and your baby do together?
  • What are some things your baby likes to do?
  • Is there anything your baby does or does not do that concerns you?
  • Has your baby lost any skills he/she once had?
  • Does your baby have any special healthcare needs or was he/she born prematurely?

From the CDC's Milestones by 1 year page. The CDC suggests filling in a milestone checklist and sharing it with your child's doctor; its Milestone Tracker app is free.

Peabody Parents

Your baby at 12 months

What most babies do by 1 year

  • Plays games with you, like pat-a-cake
  • Waves “bye-bye”
  • Calls a parent “mama” or “dada” or another special name
  • Understands “no” (pauses briefly or stops when you say it)
  • Puts something in a container, like a block in a cup
  • Looks for things he sees you hide, like a toy under a blanket
  • Pulls up to stand
  • Walks, holding on to furniture
  • Drinks from a cup without a lid, as you hold it
  • Picks things up between thumb and pointer finger, like small bits of food

Play today

  • Pat-a-cake, your turn
  • Stand and play
  • Under the cup

Say

  • “Bye-bye! Wave bye-bye.”
  • “Up you get! You're standing!”
  • “Where's the ball? Under the cup!”

Read or sing

If You're Happy and You Know It

Worried?

Talk to your pediatrician. Don't wait.

Milestones in the CDC's words, from “Learn the Signs. Act Early.” (most children, 75% or more, do these by that age). parent.peabody.kids/age/12-months

Sources