3 min read · For babies aged 11–12 months
“Where is the dog?” can become a simple and playful activity as your baby approaches their first birthday.
At eleven and twelve months, babies may begin connecting familiar words with pictures, objects and everyday experiences. They may look towards the picture you name, touch it, reach for it, vocalise or begin pointing.
The goal of “Find the Animal” is not to test whether your baby knows the correct answer. It is to create a simple opportunity to listen, look, choose and communicate with you.
For a wider overview of this developmental stage, read our guide to development, milestones and play at 11–12 months.
Start with only two animal cards
Begin with two clear animal pictures rather than presenting the whole set.
Choose animals that look noticeably different from each other, for example:
- a dog and a rabbit;
- an elephant and a bird;
- a cat and a giraffe.
Place the two cards next to each other with enough space between them for your baby to look at each image separately.
Make sure both pictures are clearly visible and within comfortable reach.
Ask one simple question
When your baby is looking towards the cards, ask:
“Where is the dog?”
Then wait.
Avoid immediately repeating the question or pointing to the correct card yourself.
Your baby may need several seconds to listen to the word, look between the two pictures and organise a response.
What counts as an answer?
Your baby does not need to point with one finger or hand you the correct card.
A response may be:
- looking towards the dog;
- looking longer at one picture;
- touching the card;
- reaching towards it;
- pointing;
- picking up the card;
- looking at you after hearing the question;
- smiling or vocalising.
At this age, communication often combines gaze, movement, gestures and sounds.
If pointing is beginning to appear, you can learn more about pointing, gestures and early communication at 11–12 months.
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Do not correct the answer immediately
If you ask, “Where is the dog?” and your baby reaches for the rabbit, avoid quickly saying:
“No, that is wrong.”
Instead, calmly name what your baby chose:
“You picked the rabbit. Rabbit.”
Then you can point to or pick up the other card:
“Here is the dog. Woof.”
This keeps the activity playful and gives your baby another opportunity to hear the words without turning the interaction into a correction.
Change the position of the cards
After a few turns, swap the cards from left to right.
If the dog was on the left, move it to the right before asking again another time.
This prevents the activity from becoming simply:
“Always choose the card on this side.”
Your baby now needs to look again at the pictures rather than rely only on position.
Use animal sounds
Animal sounds can add another familiar cue.
You might say:
“Where is the dog?”
Pause.
Then, if needed:
“Dog. Woof, woof.”
Keep sounds short and playful. There is no need to ask your baby to copy them.
Your baby may smile, babble or make their own sound in response.
Keep it a game, not a test
It can be tempting to repeat several questions:
“Where is the dog?”
“Where is the rabbit?”
“Where is the cat?”
“Show me the dog.”
But your baby does not need to demonstrate knowledge repeatedly.
Try one or two turns, then follow your baby’s interest.
If they pick up a card, turn it over or crawl away, the activity can end.
Connect the picture with a book
The same animal can appear in different places.
If you use a dog card during play, later point to a dog in a board book:
“Dog. We saw a dog on your card too.”
You do not need identical pictures. Seeing different dogs can gradually help your baby experience the word dog across different examples.
Connect the card with a real animal
Everyday experiences can make picture play more meaningful.
If you see a dog outside, you might say:
“Look, a dog.”
“Woof.”
Later, you can show the dog card again.
There is no need to ask whether your baby remembers. Simply name the animal and allow the connection to develop through repeated experiences.
When should you add a third card?
Begin with two cards because the visual choice is simple.
You might introduce a third card when your baby:
- comfortably looks between two pictures;
- remains interested for several turns;
- frequently responds to familiar animal names;
- actively reaches, touches or points towards cards.
Add only one new card at a time.
If three pictures make the activity less enjoyable or harder to focus on, return to two.
What if your baby does not point yet?
Pointing is not required for this activity.
If your baby is not yet pointing, place two cards where they can see them and ask the same simple question.
Watch for:
- eye movement towards one picture;
- a longer gaze;
- leaning towards a card;
- reaching with the whole hand;
- touching or picking up a card;
- looking towards you;
- babbling or smiling.
Respond to the communication your baby already uses instead of waiting for a particular gesture.
What is your baby practising?
A simple “Find the Animal” game can bring several skills together.
Understanding familiar words
Your baby hears the same animal name connected with a clear picture.
Visual discrimination
They look between two different images and notice visual differences.
Choosing
Your baby has an opportunity to direct their attention towards one of two options.
Shared attention
You and your baby focus on the same picture and respond to each other.
Communication
A look, reach, touch, point or sound can become part of a back-and-forth interaction.
These kinds of simple choices also connect with the broader problem-solving skills described in our guide to problem-solving play at 11–12 months.
Using the Animal Discovery Cards
The Animal Discovery Cards use clear animal images that can be introduced one or two at a time for naming, shared attention and simple choice activities.
Start with two visually different animals and allow your baby to respond through looking, touching, reaching or pointing.
The Owloo Grab & Grow Play Kit for 7–12 Months includes the Animal Discovery Cards alongside play experiences for movement, hand coordination, repetition and early problem-solving.
As your baby approaches one year, you may also enjoy our guide to development, play and meaningful first birthday celebration ideas.
You can explore all Owloo guides and play ideas for babies aged 11–12 months.
Frequently asked questions
How many cards should I use for “Find the Animal”?
Begin with two clearly different animal cards. You can add a third when your baby comfortably looks between two pictures and remains interested in the activity.
What if my baby chooses the wrong animal?
Avoid correcting immediately. Name the animal your baby selected, then calmly identify the animal you originally asked about.
Does my baby need to point to answer?
No. Looking towards a picture, touching it, reaching, picking it up or vocalising can all be meaningful responses.
How many times should I ask the question?
One or two turns may be enough. Ask once, wait for a response and follow your baby’s interest rather than repeating the question until you receive a particular answer.
Can I use animal sounds as a clue?
Yes. A simple sound such as “woof” or “meow” can make the interaction playful and provide another familiar cue without requiring your baby to imitate it.
The Owloo approach
“Find the Animal” works best as a shared conversation rather than a quiz.
Offer two pictures, name one and give your baby enough time to respond in their own way.
Ask once. Wait. Follow the look, reach or point.
Written by Tina Krapez, Owloo Co-founder & COO
Tina Krapez is the Co-founder and COO of Owloo, where she helps create thoughtful play solutions and educational resources that support parents through their baby’s early development. Her work focuses on turning developmental knowledge into simple, practical guidance families can use in everyday play.
