What developmental milestones should be assessed at the 12-month well-child visit?

At the 12-month well-child visit, it is essential to assess developmental milestones that are appropriate for a child's age and typical development stage.

The milestones include crawling, pulling up to stand, saying "mama" or "dada," and waving goodbye. These indicators are significant as they reflect the child's gross and fine motor skills as well as language development. At around 12 months, most children will begin to exhibit their ability to move from a crawling position to standing with support, indicating strength and coordination in their muscles. Saying simple words like "mama" or "dada" demonstrates early language acquisition and connection to caregivers, while waving goodbye is a social gesture that reflects social development and understanding of communication.

In contrast, assessments focusing on running and throwing or writing and singing are more appropriate for older children. Running and throwing typically develop later, around 18 months to 2 years, indicating more advanced gross motor skills. Similarly, writing and singing are skills that emerge as children grow older, usually around the preschool years, reflecting more advanced cognitive and fine motor development. The assessment of these milestones at 12 months may overlook critical signs of typical growth and social communication foundations that are essential at that specific age.