Social Activities for 12 Months

Sing the cleanup song and tidy up toys together — making cooperation feel fun while building responsibility and team spirit.

Create a cozy corner with soft items where your toddler can go when they feel overwhelmed — teaching early self-regulation skills.

Set up interesting toys around the room and let baby explore while you stay in one spot — building confidence through secure attachment.

Set up two identical art stations side by side so toddlers can create alongside each other — the natural first stage of social play.

Show baby photos of family members and name each person — building recognition of familiar faces and early social connections.

Take care of a baby doll together — feeding, rocking, and tucking it in — to build empathy and nurturing skills in your toddler.

Sit facing baby and roll a soft ball between you — a gentle introduction to the concept of taking turns and shared play.

Practice giving gentle hugs, kisses, and pats with baby and a soft stuffed animal — teaching them to express love through touch.

Set up two similar activities side by side so toddlers can play alongside each other.

Practice nurturing by feeding, rocking, and dressing a baby doll.

Roll a ball back and forth between you and baby, introducing early turn-taking.

The classic peek-a-boo with colorful scarves builds object permanence and delights babies every time.

Narrate the emotions you see during a walk together — 'That dog looks happy!' — building your toddler's emotional vocabulary naturally.

Make faces at baby and watch them try to copy you — a delightful way to develop facial expression skills and social mirroring.

Have a 'conversation' with baby by imitating their coos and waiting for a response — the earliest form of social turn-taking.

Teach baby to wave by modeling the gesture during greetings and farewells — a first step in social communication and connection.

Clap baby's hands together to simple songs and watch them start joining in — a joyful way to practice early social interaction.

Practice waving goodbye and hello during daily transitions, building social gestures.