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7 to 12 months

Between 7 to 12 months baby will be developing their mobility. As their mobility increases, they can decide for themselves where they'll go and what they'll explore when they get there! By 12 months old, they can understand about 10 words they hear often.


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Enjoying books and music

Enjoying books and music

At this stage baby will explore books and toys using eyes, ears, hands and mouth. They'll look at it, shake it, bang it and mouth it. Baby will enjoy having whānau read to them.

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Language and communication

Language and communication

During this time, baby will understand many more words than they can say. By 12 months old, they can understand about 10 words that they've heard often.

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Becoming independent

Becoming independent

A baby can now use many different strategies and techniques to learn about a toy or an object. This experimentation is called 'cause and effect testing'.

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Exploring

Exploring

Pēpi is getting more mobile, moving around and exploring what they can see, reach and manipulate. They'll also repeat actions that have interesting effects.

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Limits and boundaries

Limits and boundaries

Baby is interested in finding things and then discovering what they can do with them. They're focusing on exploring, without any awareness of hazards and dangers.

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Physical development

Physical development

During this stage baby will be rolling, sitting, pulling themselves up to a standing position, 'cruising', standing on their own, maybe beginning to walk.

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Social and emotional skills

Social and emotional skills

At this stage of development, baby will express affection and frustration towards their parents and caregivers.

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See all articles

Check out more articles related to pēpi and their development from 7 to 12 months.

Ara Mātua – 7 to 12 months

Ara Mātua parenting pathways identify ways kaitiaki can strengthen their relationship with pēpi. There are spaces to add their own goals to build their parenting confidence.

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Mother with child playing with water in the garden