By the first year, many babies are ready to walk. Because babies develop differently, some babies by this time may be just managing to stand alone. Walking is the crowning achievement of the baby's first year of life. When ready, babies focus their attention on the challenge of walking as though they cannot get enough. With or without help, they will stagger, topple, halt, and start forward again and again. Praise and enthusiasm from parents give them inspiration. At this age, 70 percent of babies will accept an object with the right hand. The same preference will be seen in finger-feeding, reaching, and thumb-sucking. Twelve month olds can undress themselves completely and will spontaneously become naked before naps, at night, and when in bed. Definite food likes and dislikes appear. Intense excitement may hinder a baby's ability to sleep. Temper tantrums may begin to emerge. New growth and developmental milestones occur by the end of 12 months.

The 12-month-old's motor skills include:
* Pulling himself up to standing position.
* Walking when supported.
* Preferring crawling to walking, unless walking without help.
* Climbing up and down stairs.
* Taking covers off containers.

The 12-month-old's language skills include:
* Uses the words "Ma-Ma" and "Da-Da" specifically for parents.
* Practicing familiar words such as "ba-ba" for bottle and "wa-wa" for water.
* Babbling short "sentences."

The 12-month-old's mental abilities include:
* Reaching accurately for objects when looking away.
* Remembering events for longer periods of time.
* Solving problems through trial and error.

The 12-month-old's social traits include:
* Expressing many emotions and recognizing them in others.
* Definitely preferring certain people to others.
* Refusing to eat a meal, new foods, and mother's feeding.
* Insisting on self-feeding.
* Cooperating in dressing.

Be sure your baby receives the following immunizations now: the fourth DTP, Hepatitis B, and HiB shots; the third polio feeding; and the first MMR and chickenpox shots as well as the tuberculin skin test.

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