Ages 9‑12 Months

Physical Development

• Let your toddler practise climbing a few stairs, making sure you support him or her from behind or by holding hands.
• Go for walks outside and give your toddler practice walking with your support.
• Show your toddler how to place soft building blocks one on top of another.
• Create a safe play space in the kitchen with lots of different-sized plastic containers, bowls, wooden spoons, and other objects.

What Your Toddler is Likely to Do

• Turn in a circle when sitting.
• Twist to pick up objects.
• Stand by flexing his or her knees and pushing off from a squat.
• Walk while holding on to furniture.
• Walk when supported by both hands.
• Crawl up stairs.
• Crawl very well.
• Use the tip of the index finger and thumb to pick up small items.
• Put objects in and take them out of containers.
• Point, poke, touch, and pry with the index finger.
• Place one block on top of another.
• Give objects to another person, if asked.
• Hold a spoon, but will need help to use it.
• Chew small pieces of food.

Other Things Your Toddler May Do

• Walk, with one hand held.
• Squat down, stoop, bend over, and then get up.
• Crawl up and down stairs.
• Climb two or three steps without help.
• Drop down from a standing to a sitting position.
• Use both hands freely.
• Pull off socks and hats.
• Hold large felt markers and make marks with them.
• Build a tower using two blocks.
• Feed him‑ or herself with a spoon and drink from a cup.

How You Can Help Physical Development

• Continue to breastfeed.
• Provide lots of encouragement.
• Go for walks outside and give your toddler practice walking with your support.
• While playing on the floor, place favourite toys just far enough away so that your toddler has to reach for them.
• Let your toddler practise climbing a few stairs. Make sure you support you toddler from behind or by holding her or his hand.
• Increase the variety of foods and textures. Place small pieces of food on your toddler’s plate or tray.
• Offer water to drink from a cup.
• Show your toddler how to place soft building blocks one on top of another.
• Create a safe play space in the kitchen with lots of different‑sized plastic containers, bowls, wooden spoons, and other objects.
• Play finger games with your toddler, such as Round and Round the Garden.
• Introduce your toddler to toys that require handling, such as activity tables or toys that make a noise when a button is pressed.