8-12 Months: Baby Discoveries -- Observation Record

How does the baby explore things around her?

As babies begin to crawl, cruise, and then walk, they discover a whole new world of things to touch, feel, and taste. Their curiosity leads them to play with familiar things in new ways, and they become interested in experimenting with a variety of new materials.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Cause a crash and bang–pull all the pots and pans out of the bottom cabinet and bang them against each other and the floor.
• Do and do some more–move from one activity to another.
• Keep trying–experiment until she gets the round shape into the round hole consistently.
• Explore with many senses–inspect the breadcrumb she found on the floor, then put it in her mouth.
• Show patience–try over and over to stack or push the large cup into the small cup.

How does this baby explore the things around her? (Include dates.)

How does the baby show she remembers things?

Babies show great memory skills by their first birthday. They like to imitate, and their play often incorporates what they see adults do, such as using a spoon to stir, or brushing their hair with the doll's brush.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Show she knows–point to several body parts when you name them.
• Try to do it herself–try to buckle the strap on her booster or car seat.
• Find it–unwrap a small doll or toy truck that she watched someone fold into a napkin.
• Show you–point to appropriate pictures in a book as you read a story to her and ask her the whereabouts of objects or people are you are reading about.
• Get her toys–open certain drawers and cabinets because she knows these are the places where her toys are stored.

How does this baby show she remembers things? (Include dates.)

How does the baby show she is able to make things happen?

One-year-olds are persistent and try to make things happen over and over. You can almost see their thought processes churning as they show that they expect certain outcomes when they push a button or squeeze a soft toy.

The baby might do one or more of the following:

• Look for reactions–drop her spoon over the edge of the high chair tray again and again while looking for someone to pick it up.
• Show you what she wants–hand a windup toy to you and gesture that she wants you to make it go.
• Show delight–turn the ring cone upside down and put one ring back on, using the same ring over and over.
• React to an unexpected result–grin as she pushes the ball across the floor, but become upset when she can't get it back again.
• Show pride in her own progress–pull off one sock, then look around and smile as she pulls off the other sock.

How does this baby make things happen? (Include dates.)