Note: All weights and lengths are approximate; each baby is unique. These figures are just general ranges.
Communication and social development
The deliberate use of sounds continues to increase. But communication in the form of gestures, mimicry and cries is just as important. If your ten-month-old wants a bottle or sippy cup, he can communicate this clearly by pointing and making a sound. These kinds of successful experiences strengthen his confidence and encourage him to learn more.
Baby may know his own name and react when called. His passive vocabulary (words that he understands but doesn’t use) consists of six to eight concepts (probably “no” included). This is an important step, as he starts to grasp that there are boundaries and rules, even if he doesn’t appear to be affected by hearing “no.”
Senses and motor skills
Baby is probably now so good at crawling that you have to pay close attention to where he’s going. If you haven’t already, you should now childproof your home, including plugging all electrical sockets having gates at all stairs.
And stairs do hold a magical attraction to babies at this age: He’s starting to become obsessed with climbing. Caregivers must pay close attention, because baby can neither balance well nor understand where potential dangers lurk.
Interests and activities
For many babies, dancing with a parent is the greatest thing. They cry out with joy when moved in rhythm to music, especially if the caregiver also sings along. Some babies enjoy being spun around in a circle so much that their parents get dizzy.
Everything with hinges and handles sparks baby’s natural curiosity. Doors and drawers can make wonderful diversions – but not always safe ones. You can either purchase child-proofing hooks and devices or employ a simple rubber band to keep baby out; this is especially important for cabinets that contain cleaning materials.
It’s virtually inevitable that baby will catch a finger in a drawer at some point, which may lead to bitter tears. It takes several months before baby understands how to correctly close a drawer.