Introduction
Mumma, Dada, did you know that by the end of my eleventh month, I’m learning and doing so many new things? Here’s what I’ve been up to:
The Benefits of My Early Development
Gross Motor Skills: I can cruise around by holding on to furniture. I might be able to let go of support and remain standing. I can crawl up and down stairs on all fours, going backward to go down. I can walk steadily while holding an adult's hand. I attempt to move from the floor to a standing position by getting on my hands and knees and then pushing with my hands to extend my arms or legs.
Fine Motor Skills: I’m able to assemble things better and am more interested in building instead of just destroying things, like block towers. I use a pincer grasp to hold small objects using the tips of my index finger and thumb. I place objects into and remove them from a cup, box, or other container. I can remove a loose top from a container. I deliberately place objects in specific locations. I try to turn the pages in a cardboard children's book, often turning more than one page at a time. I use my hands sequentially to perform activities like grabbing food and feeding myself or performing a simple game such as putting rings on a cone, alternating hands.
Cognitive Development: I point to a few body parts when asked. I use objects as means to achieve goals, like using a small chair as a walker to walk around. I experiment with action and reaction, like opening and closing drawers or turning lights on and off. I remember details of activities performed a few minutes before.
Speech Development: My babbling starts to resemble talking as I play with intonation and different talking patterns. I can pronounce some small words through imitation.
Self-Care: I can take off my socks and increasingly collaborate when getting dressed or undressed.
Social-Emotional Development: I display many emotions and recognize them when others show them. I enjoy playing with water in the sink or during bath time. I’m very interested in any activity performed by you, Mumma, and Dada.
Types of my developmental milestones
Other Development Highlights: I might use one hand more frequently, but it’s not until much later that I will become left-handed or right-handed. I might use my armpit or mouth to carry a third object when my hands are each carrying something. I’m aware of my own actions and some implications or consequences. I associate things, people, and animals with their characteristics, like barking for a dog or pointing up when shown a picture of an airplane. If I can say any word, I use it to refer to multiple objects, correctly and incorrectly. Feeding might become more challenging as my curiosity and need for independence increase (I may want to feed myself). I react strongly when separated from you, Mumma; I need to be close to you, especially in new places. I begin testing limits by engaging in certain behaviors or actions to get a response from you.
Additional Physical Development: I can walk steadily by holding your fingers in both hands across the house. I can climb up and down single-stair steps with my hands and legs without help. I can balance my body with an object in hand while standing without support. I can throw and release a small ball downward while sitting on a higher surface. I can balance in a standing position without holding an object for a long time. I have more control over using a ‘pinch’ to pick up tiny objects. I can take out rings from a ring-stacking toy and attempt to place them back. I start to bend from a standing position by holding a supporting object to pick up an item from the ground. I start to walk a few steps by holding objects like a sofa or a table. I can stand up by holding objects without your help, Mumma. I can climb a stair without any help, using my own hand support. I can pick up tiny objects using my index finger and thumb with good accuracy.
Additional Cognitive Development: I remember the details of an activity done sometime before. I start to point or show excitement when I see familiar objects in a book. I can find hidden objects by observing where you are hiding them. I search for objects dropped or placed in the last-seen places. I start to use one hand more frequently than the other, although there is still time for me to become left-handed or right-handed.
Additional Communication Development: I try to pull my clothes to communicate discomfort, like taking off socks or pulling sleeves. I raise my hands and ask to be picked up, expressing myself through body actions and sounds. I point with my hand in the direction I want to be taken while on your lap. I follow simple instructions like sit down, stand up, sleep or lie down, come, go, etc. I respond by babbling or crying when told “no” for an action. I try to express myself using body expressions or sounds when asked simple, short questions, showing my understanding of language.
Additional Social and Emotional Development: I show more interest in activities done by adults than toys. I like to feed myself by using my hands to pick up food items from a bowl. I enjoy my independence. I clap on my own when I am excited to see you again after a few hours. I enjoy repeating actions that get positive approval from you. I have become increasingly fond of playing with water in the sink, tub, glass, etc. I begin to show guilt after doing something wrong.
Conclusion
Research shows that these early developmental milestones are crucial for my growth and learning. According to studies in Pediatrics and Infant Behavior & Development, engaging with me through talking, playing, and responding to my needs helps enhance my cognitive, motor, and social-emotional development.
Maa and Daddy, your love and interaction play a significant role in my development. Keep talking, playing, and cuddling with me, and watch how I grow and learn every day!
Keywords: baby brain development, 11th month milestones, gross motor skills, fine motor skills, cognitive development, speech development, sensory development, social-emotional development, reflexes, communication milestones