Raising Children Network: the Australian parenting website
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At thirteen months

 

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Health professionals talk about a child’s age in terms of months, for example the 13th month or the 16th month. The way to make sense of this is to begin counting from the beginning of the previous month. For example, the 13th month begins when a child is 12 months old and ends when she is 13 months old. Or the 16th month begins when a child is 15 months old and ends when she is 16 months old.

 

The 13th month

By the end of this month, your toddler:

… should be able to:

  • pull up to standing position
  • get into a sitting position
  • cruise (move from place to place, always holding on)
  • clap hands (play pat-a-cake)
  • indicate wants in ways other than crying

 … will probably be able to:

  • put an object into a container 
  • imitate activities 
  • stand alone 
  • use one recognisable word

… might possibly be able to:

  • drink from a cup
  • use two recognisable words 
  • point to a desired object 
  • scribble
  • walk well

… might even be able to:

  • use a spoon or fork (but not exclusively)
  • remove an article of clothing
  • point to one body part when asked
  • dump an object in imitation.

Intellectual development

Early in the second year, toddlers are explorers and scientists. They often like to pick things up, study, test and manipulate things, and put things in their mouths. Cause and effect is a major focus. They live in the here and now, and do not show much imagination or abstract thinking as yet.

Emotional development

As the world begins to open up, your toddler – who has come a long way from the eat-cry-sleep newborn – opens up too. Toddlers show a wide range of moods, feelings and behaviours. Expect these moods and accept them – they are part of growing up. 

Emotions and moods might include affection, independence, frustration, fear, anger, protest, stubbornness, wilfulness, sadness, anxiety and puzzlement.

When to seek help

Consult a health professional if your toddler has not reached the developmental milestones above or:

  • doesn’t use hands for purposeful activities like picking things up
  • seems unresponsive
  • doesn’t smile
  • makes few or no sounds
  • doesn’t seem to hear well
  • is always irritable or demands constant attention.

Remember, the one-year-old who was born prematurely often lags behind others of the same chronological age. This developmental gap progressively narrows and generally disappears entirely around age two.

Your child’s rate of development might well be normal (some children are late bloomers). But it needs to be evaluated if your child shows any of these signs.
 
 
 
 
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  • Last updated16-05-2006
  • Last reviewed16-05-2006