What is a common sign of development in children by 12 months of age?

By the age of 12 months, a child typically demonstrates a key developmental milestone of using basic gestures. This includes actions such as waving goodbye, pointing to express interest, or reaching out for something they want. These gestures are critical as they indicate not only physical development but also the beginnings of communication and social interaction.

At 12 months, children are still developing their motor skills and coordination, which is why using gestures is a more expected behavior compared to climbing stairs, understanding complex ideas, or writing their name. Climbing stairs usually occurs later as gross motor skills improve, and understanding complex ideas and writing are skills that develop much later in childhood. Basic gestures provide an essential foundation for social communication, paving the way for further language development in the following years.