Early childhood development (ECD) is a complex theory that explains how a child learns and how the brain advances through stages of abilities from birth to 5 years of age. One part of this theory is Older Baby Development during the first year of life. As your child’s parent, you are their most important teacher. As teachers, we support the children’s development as they advance their abilities. This blog focuses on the modern teaching approach in ECE, called the whole-child approach, where teaching encompasses the development of all aspects of the child’s learning: physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional abilities.
Abilities & Preferences
Abilities are skills a child has or is developing, and preference means their likes or dislikes. Older infants develop abilities and preferences at their own pace, also called developmental milestones or skills. Many abilities overlap with one another, making it difficult to separate them. It is important to remember that children develop a wide range of abilities at different rates. Any child could be above the typical age in one ability and below the typical age in another.

This blog focuses on how children engage and interact with toys and the abilities necessary for that interaction. We do not provide medical advice, medical conditions, child health suggestions, or disease control.
Table of contents
Older Baby Development: 8 through 11 months
Between eight months and one year of age, the older baby is preparing for two significant developmental events – walking and talking. These milestones usually begin around the time of the first birthday. During this time, the older infant is increasingly capable of manipulating small objects and spends a lot of time practicing by picking up and releasing toys or anything else that is in their hand. Older infants at this age are also becoming highly social. They find ways to be the center of attention and to win approval and applause from family and friends. When applause is forthcoming, the infant joins in with delight. The ability to imitate improves and serves two purposes – to extend social interactions and to help the child learn many new skills and behaviors in the months of rapid development that lie ahead.

Physical Development
The development of an infant during their first year is full of milestones. At around 8 months old, their anterior fontanelle starts to close. This is the soft spot on top of their head where their skull bones haven’t yet fused together. By this time, the infant also typically has four upper and four lower incisors and two lower molars.
Their arms and hands are more developed than their feet and legs. This is known as cephalocaudal development. The baby’s hands will appear large in proportion to other body parts. Meanwhile, their legs may still look bowed, and their feet appear flat as the arch has not yet developed.
Their eyesight is also improving and is approximately 20/100. Both eyes work together in what is called “true binocular coordination.” They are able to see distant objects 15 to 20 feet away and point at them.
As the baby grows older, they become more dexterous. They can reach with one hand and grasp an offered object or toy. They manipulate objects by transferring them from one hand to the other and explore new objects by poking them with a finger. They also develop the deliberate pincer grasp, which allows them to pick up small objects, toys, and finger foods.
Around 9 months old, the baby begins to pull themselves up into a standing position and can move around obstacles by sidestepping. They have good balance when sitting and can shift positions without falling. They may also begin to crawl up and down stairs. With adult support, they can walk while holding onto an adult’s hand and may begin to walk alone.

Cognitive Development
During this stage of development, older infants exhibit increased awareness of their immediate environment. They tend to watch people, objects, and activities around them, and may even point to distant objects up to 15-20 feet away. Although they may lose interest quickly, they can respond to voice localization tests. They are also able to follow simple instructions and reach for visible toys that are out of reach. The tendency to put objects in their mouth still persists, and they may drop a toy intentionally and repeatedly, looking in the direction of the fallen object, which is indicative of the development of depth perception.
Older infants also show signs of imitation. They may imitate activities such as clapping, raspberries, hitting two blocks together. They can recognize the reversal of an object, such as a cup being upside down, and still identify it as a cup. They may drop the first toy when offered another toy or item, demonstrating their ability to recognize cause and effect.
In addition, older infants begin to show an understanding of spatial relationships. They can put a block in a basket and take it out when requested to do so. They may also show awareness of the working relationship of objects, such as putting a spoon in their mouth or using a brush to soothe their hair. They may even turn pages of a book.
Furthermore, older infants show some sense of object permanence, which means that they can search for partially hidden objects. They may also pretend to drink from a cup, put on a necklace, hug a doll, or make stuffed animals walk. They may even hand mechanical toys back to an adult to have them rewound.

Language Development
Older infants between eight and eleven months old deliberately babble to initiate social interaction. They may shout to attract attention and then listen for a response. They shake their heads to indicate “no” and may nod their heads for “yes.” When called, they respond by looking for the person who called their name. They babble using syllables and sounds that resemble language. They can say “dada” and “mama.”
Older infants will also imitate sounds that they have already learned to make, such as motor noises, tongue clicks, lip-smacking, and coughing. When prompted, they can wave “bye-bye” and clap their hands. They will also hand over a toy or object to an adult when appropriate hand gestures accompany the request. They enjoy rhythms and simple songs and often vocalize and dance to music.

Social-Emotional Development
The older infant is a social and outgoing individual who enjoys being included in daily activities with family members and caregivers. They often show a need to be picked up and held by extending their arms upward or crying and clinging to the adult’s legs. They may repeat certain behaviors to gain attention.
As they begin to exhibit assertiveness, they may resist caregiver requests and may even kick, scream, or throw themselves on the floor in temper tantrums.
At this stage, older infants display a definite fear of strangers and often cling to or hide behind their parent or caregiver, which is known as Stranger Anxiety. They may also resist separating from a familiar adult, which is called Separation Anxiety. The older infant may want their parent or caregiver to be in constant sight during this time.
Older infants tend to jabber constantly and, upon hearing their name, will look up and smile at the person who is speaking to them. They can also carry out simple directions and requests, and they understand the meaning of the word “no.” They enjoy new experiences and opportunities to examine new objects and often offer others toys and objects. Lastly, they may become attached to a favorite toy or blanket.

Older Baby Developmental Alerts
Please take a look at Older Baby Development Alerts!
If the older infant lacks these abilities, it might indicate that further evaluation is necessary.

Toy Safety
Toy safety is essential because small objects should not be around young infants and children. These first three months are a great way for first-time parents to create a dedicated, safe place and play area. In my next post, we will explore child development for older babies 12 through 18 months of age. We will see that infants will be walking, repeating words, and using crayons for the first time!
Conclusion
During older baby development, babies between eight to eleven months old undergo a significant developmental phase. They start eating new foods, speak their first word, and form a strong attachment to their family members. When they reach one year old, they will start supporting themselves to stand and may even start taking their first steps, although this may vary from baby to baby. During this time, they may become attached to their parent or caregiver and may be afraid of strangers. This behavior is typical, and it is essential for their social development. It is an exciting time as speech progresses from vowel sounds into words, and their babbling starts to sound like sentences. It is crucial to continue with a nightly bedtime routine, including bath time and reading to help them transition to quietness and sleep.
As older infants transition to adult food and cups, it is recommended to start using an open-top cup that is clear, allowing the baby to see the liquid. Begin with a few drops of water and let the infant gradually take over. This is vital for their hand-eye coordination development.
Links For Your Reference:
- Essential Toy Safety for Infants, Toddlers, and Preschoolers.
- Whole Child Education: What is the Approach to Teaching?
- Developmentally Appropriate Toys: What and Why are They Important?
- American Academy of Pediatrics
I value your input and comments tremendously. If there is anything else I should include in this Older Baby Development blog post, please let me know!
melissa
Sunday 19th of January 2025
What a great explanation on the older babies devolpemnt! its amazing how much they learn in their different growing stages, all my kids were all different. My daughter was walking by 10 months
Nikki Wayne
Saturday 18th of January 2025
This is a knowledgeable post. Because not all parents know this stages in infants or toddler. I hope many people can read this and learn from it.
knycx journeying
Saturday 18th of January 2025
Your breakdown of developmental milestones for older babies is so helpful! I loved the section on sensory play ideas—it’s practical and engaging for both parents and little ones. Great tips!
Lisa Lisa
Friday 17th of January 2025
Interesting post, at this age they are so curious and love exploring everything they see. You shared a lot of great information for parents to take note of all their children's developmental milestones.
Michelle
Friday 17th of January 2025
This was such an interesting read! I really loved learning about how the little ones are developing emotionally as well as physically during this stage of their young lives.