First signs of independence At this stage of development your baby will want to do things their own way, be involved and make decisions. Children will hold on to furniture to walk around and stand without support for a short time. Your child will enjoy your company more than anything at this stage and likes being around other babies. This is probably the time when you will hear the first word! Top tips for this stage are to: Support their walking. Hand-eye coordination is improved. Let them throw objects! They are learning about cause and effect. Encourage concentration. Add language, give instructions, and give them time to respond. Meaningful babbling and first word(s). Use short, simple sentences and varied voice tone. Have fun with mark making. Provide reassurance. Model good behaviour.
