Development at 13 Months
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Activity 1
Age Appropriate Gross Motor Development
Assumes And Maintains Independent Kneeling
I am learning how to kneel! When I am sitting on the floor, encourage me to move to the kneeling position. Observe if I am able to get to the kneeling position all by myself without any help. See if I can stay in that position for one minute! I usually develop this skill between 11 and 14 months.
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Steps
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Sit your child on the floor.
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Encourage him to move into the kneeling position.
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Observe if he is able to maintain the kneeling position for at least one minute.
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Ensure that he does not use his hands for support.
Feedback
Your child is developing good hip control at this stage. You can even get him to do a little 'walking' on his knees to challenge him further! Looks like he's not far from walking if he isn't already doing so! Do look at the suggested activities for more ideas on this task.
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 Encourage your child to play frequently in the kneeling position so that his hip muscles become stronger. Strong hip muscles are essential for independent walking.
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You may even use a box turned upside-down as a low table for him as he is kneeling.
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Practice kneeling while using the arm of a chair/sofa for support. Encourage your child to hold the kneeling position by playing with a toy or looking at a book. You may also use a low inverted box for this.
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Place your child sitting on his knees and help him up into the kneeling position. Gradually reduce your support and encourage him to hold the position on his own.
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Place your child on the floor in the knee-sitting position, encourage him to reach for a toy slightly out of reach so he needs to lift himself up by straightening at his hips.
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Activity 2
Age Appropriate Fine Motor Development
Tower of Two Blocks
 I am learning how to build a tower using 2 small blocks! Sit with me at the table with two small blocks. Observe if I am able to place one block on top of the other to make a mini-tower. You may need to demonstrate the task for me to imitate. Observe if I can do the same on my other hand. I usually develop the ability to build a tower using two blocks when I am between 12 and 17 months old. |
Steps
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Sit with your child at the table with two small blocks.
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Observe if your child is able to place one block on top of the other to make a mini-tower.
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You may need to demonstrate the task for him to imitate.
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Observe if he can do the same on his other hand.
Feedback
Stacking small blocks one on top of the other is a more challenging task than it appears! It demands good eye-hand coordination, fine motor control as well as good judgment of force and space. Let your child topple the mini-tower over and rebuild it again! You may look at suggested activities for more ideas with this task.
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Provide lots of opportunities for your child to practice building towers with little blocks. Let him build as high a tower as he can!
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Demonstrate building a tower of two cubes. If necessary, tap the first cube on the table to get your child's attention. Give simple instructions as she observes you place one cube on top of the other. Use two different colored cubes for more fun.
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If your child has difficulty with the concept of building a tower, you may use common household objects such as empty drink cans, tissue boxes, small tissue packs, match boxes or small books. Stacking-ring toys may also help with teaching the concept of building a tower. Remember to give your child the pleasure of knocking down the tower.
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If your child has difficulty coordinating his hands for grasp and release of the small blocks, you may use larger boxes for easier coordination.
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Placing objects down in an upright position may also help develop better release control. Ideas include placing a cup down on the table, placing salt and pepper shakers or toy figurines upright.
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