Developmental Milestones in Children from 6 to 18 Months: A Guide for Parents

6–9 Months: 

• Start to sit with their hands stretched out in front of them (sometimes referred to as the tripod position). Soon, they’ll be able to sit without support. They can roll over both ways and enjoy being on their tummy most of the time. Some children may prefer to sleep on their tummy, which is alright as long as the surrounding area is clear. 
• Some may start to crawl, though crawling is not a definite milestone - some may bottom shuffle or creep along the floor instead. 
• Transferring objects from one hand to the other and beginning to pick up items using their thumb and index finger (also known as the pincer grip).

9–12 Months: 

• Standing with support and cruising (walking while holding onto furniture) often begins around this stage. Some may also walk while holding onto your hands. It’s important to be careful if they suddenly trip, as you might inadvertently pull on their arm. This can make it hard for them to move their arm and may require a quick visit to the doctor to fix. 
• Improved pincer grasp (thumb and finger) to pick up small objects.

12–18 Months: 

• Walking independently, displaying interest in climbing and squatting to pick up toys. 
• Starting to use a spoon, stack blocks, and scribble with crayons. 
• Children may attempt to jump at this stage, but most aren’t yet able to lift both feet off the ground

Activities to Boost Motor Skills: 

• Tummy time: Still important! You can also encourage crawling by placing toys slightly out of reach. 
• Obstacle courses:  You can create safe, mini challenges with pillows and boxes. 
• Push toys: Helps to strengthen leg muscles and improve balance. 
• Stacking and knocking over blocks - Great for developing fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. 
• Removing and replacing small objects into containers: Great for building coordination and reinforcing the idea of keeping toys once playtime is over.

6–9 Months: 

• Babbling sounds like "ba," "da," and "ma." 
• Responds to their name and recognizes familiar words. 
• Able to localise sounds on the left and right. 

9–12 Months: 

• First real words may emerge ("mama," "dada"). 
• Begins to understand "no" and simple instructions. 
• Able to localise sounds above and below their heads. 

12–18 Months: 

• Vocabulary grows to include several words. 
• Tries to imitate words and singing simple songs, often following with actions 
• May start to join 2 words together ("go there") 
• Starts eating independently – able to put food into mouth, chew, and swallow without holding food in the mouth. Begins learning how to use a spoon and fork. 

Activities to Boost Language Development: 

• Talk often: Describe what you’re doing throughout the day. This helps them learn to express their emotions and make simple requests. 
• Read daily: Choose simple board books with large pictures. 
• Sing nursery rhymes: Repetition builds understanding and memory. Encourage them to fill in the blanks as they become familiar with the song. 
• Use gestures: Waving bye-bye and pointing supports communication. Signing "thank you" by moving the hand to the mouth and then away can also be helpful.

6–9 Months: 

• Begins to understand object permanence (knowing an object exists even when hidden). 
• Looks for dropped or hidden toys. 
• Enjoys interactive games like peek-a-boo. 

9–12 Months: 

• Explores objects by shaking, banging, and throwing. 
• Starts using objects correctly, such as drinking from a cup or brushing hair. 

12–18 Months: 

• Solves simple problems (figuring out how to reach a toy under the couch). 
• Shows curiosity about how things work. 
• Shows interest in food of different taste and textures 

Activities to Boost Cognitive Development: 

• Peek-a-boo and hide-and-seek: Helps strengthen memory and problem-solving skills. 
• Shape sorters and simple puzzles: Encourage thinking skills and improve hand-eye coordination. 
• Explore textures: Offer materials like cloth, sand, water, and toys with different surfaces to stimulate sensory exploration.

6–9 Months: 

• Recognizes familiar faces and may show fear around strangers. 
• Enjoys interactive social games like pat-a-cake. 
• Calms down when picked up by caregivers 

9–12 Months: 

• Shows clear preferences for certain people and toys. 
• May experience separation anxiety. 

12–18 Months: 

• Imitates adult behavior, such as talking on a toy phone. 
• Expresses a wider range of emotions and may begin to throw tantrums. 

Activities to Boost Social Skills: 

• Mirror play: Helps with learning about emotions and developing self-recognition. 
• Playdates: Short, supervised playtimes encourage early social interaction and sharing. 
• Pretend play: Using dolls, stuffed animals, or toy phones helps model and practice social behavior.

6–9 Months: 

• First teeth (usually the lower front) often begin to appear. 

9–12 Months: 

• More teeth erupt and chewing improves. 

12–18 Months: 

• Most children have several teeth at this stage and can begin learning to clean and brush them. Use a toothpaste that’s suitable for their age. 
• It’s especially important now to encourage shared mealtimes with the family, without distractions—and definitely no screen time! 
• Children can start eating the same seasoned foods as the rest of the family. There’s no need to be too conservative —allow them to explore different tastes and textures. 
• Foods to avoid include soft-boiled eggs, raw foods like sashimi, and highly processed items. 
• Having milk is important for the child’s nutrition. Avoid giving milk in the middle of the night, as this may cause carries in their teeth. 

Activities and Tips for Teething Relief: 

• Teething rings: Offer clean, chilled (not frozen) teething toys. 
• Cold washcloth: Safe for gnawing. 
• Massage gums: Use a clean finger to gently rub the gums. 
• Introduce finger foods: Helps oral development and fine motor skills.

• Safety First: As mobility increases, make sure the environment is safe by babyproofing—secure furniture, cover electrical outlets, and install safety gates. 
• Consistency: Routine is comforting and helps children feel secure as they navigate rapid developmental changes. 
• Nutrition: Offer a balanced diet to support both physical and brain development. Once solids are introduced, include iron-rich foods regularly. Exclusive breastfeeding is recommended for the first six months of life, thereafter parents may provide complementary foods from six months with continued breastfeeding for up to two years or beyond. 
• Positive Reinforcement: Celebrate small achievements with claps and smiles to boost confidence.

Every baby develops at their own pace. Some may start walking as early as 10 months, while others may not take their first steps until 15 months. Milestones are meant to be general guidelines—not strict rules. Encouraging exploration, communication, and connection through play and daily activities can significantly support your child's development. If you ever have concerns about your baby's progress, don’t hesitate to consult your paediatricians — early support can make a significant difference! 

Enjoy this amazing journey — every new skill your child develops is a victory worth celebrating! 

*This is an independent publication written by the doctor and not a paid sponsorship.