18-24 Months Toddler Development

Giving Time - Teaching Skills for Life

Welcome

• In this article you will find some 18-24 months toddler development milestones.
• Your toddler will probably be a lot more mobile now.
• They will be developing their personalities.
• Toddlers of this age will be realising that they are seperate beings to their mothers.
• You will find that they will be asserting their own wills big time if this has not already been happening.

18-24 months toddler development milestones

TODDLER FOOD

As you introduce foods watch for allergies in your little ones.

Your toddler will enjoy finger foods of different types. They should now be able to use a spoon to feed themselves. They may prefer not to though. Your toddler should now be eating small portions of the meals you eat, You will need to be consistently giving this now.

Do not be tempted to give desserts or crisps or sweets if a savoury meal is refused. Always remeber that everything you start will need to be ended at some point. If you let this slip now your toddler will develop bad eating habits so ban pop and unhealthy snacks from the house. Your toddler should be able to drink from a beaker with a lid or maybe an open cup. if your toddler is drinking from an open cup beware of spills.

POTTY TRAINING

Your toddler will still be in nappies, they may appear to be in discomfort if they have a full nappy. You may decide your little one is ready for potty training. This will take some time, try to ensure that you start potty training at a time when you sre not stressed and there are no new things going to happen for a while(such as a new baby).

BEDTIME.

Your toddler may go to one nap during the day although this will probably be around 2 hours. At night your toddler will still need around 10 to 11 hours a night. You may find your toddler resisting naps and bedtime, be firm though as most toddlers need a fair amount of sleep for health as well as to help them manage the days. You will find that a rested toddler is happier during the day.

LANGUAGE SKILLS

Your toddler will probably have a vocabulary of anywhere between 50 to 200 or so words. These may not always be said clearly You will notice that your toddler will begin to point or even use their whole bodies to get something along with the sounds and words. They may also become very frustrated if you cannot understand what they want. Your toddler will enjoy nursery rhymes and action songs, use lots of expression as you join in too.

Your toddler can pronounce the word "no" and "mine" very well during this time and will probably use them a lot. By 2 they may be stringing two ot three words together ie. "mummy up" or "want drink mummy" Your child may enjoy copying noises and animal sounds. The age at which toddlers start to speak varies quite considerably, if you are concerned speak to your doctor.

GROSS MOTOR SKILLS

Your toddler should be able walk feely and may be able to walk backwards and possibly run around. They may be able to jump or try to with one foot remaining on the ground. They will not be able to hop yet. Your toddler may be able to walk up and downstairs instead of crawling or bum shuffling, they will need your help and will need to be taught to hold onto a bannister rail. Your toddler should be able to kick a ball, an may be able to throw the ball. It will be important to make sure your home is toddler safe

FINE MOTOR SKILLS.

Your toddler may be able to grasp a crayon and scribble on a piece of paper(or the wall if you don't watch them). He/She may be able to turn the pages of a thick board book, or even magazines. He or she may be able to stack up to six blocks and will probably love pushing them over more.. Your toddler will be able to open and shut doors(watch fingers though), and easy containers.

Your toddler may be able to get some of their own clothes on, perhaps pants(if you are lucky enough to have a potty trained toddler), loose trousers and a t-shirt. Toddlers of this age enjoy playing with buttons on clothes, zippers and poppers.

SOCIAL INTERACTION

Toddlers of this age may still be quite clingy You may find your toddler resisting change, they may be anxious if they know a change is about to occur. He or she can be quite shy, or may be quite outgoing. Your toddler will find it very difficult to share anything.

He or she may be able to play alongside another toddler with supervision, but won't be playing with the other child. Your toddler may find it difficult if you need to seperate yourself from her(for work etc). Your little one may be able to play alone for short periods. It may help your little one if they can hear you if they cannot see you, try singing or calling to your toddler while you are out of sight.

EMOTIONAL

Toddlers of this age are very self centered. They have little empathy for others although may seem very concerned if you are upset. Your toddler may become fearful if they hear raised voices between family members. Your toddler may have tantrums as he or she is learning to become more independant. As your toddler becomes more independant of you she may turn to a special toy or blanket as a comforter.

Your toddler may become very fearful of being seperated from you. Always say goodbye to your toddler if you need to leave them with somebody else. Creeping away leaves your toddler insecure, and always wondering if you will suddenly disapear.

To read about your toddlers next stage click here