What developmental milestones can you look forward to with your toddler?
Here are the milestones you can expect to see your child reach in the months leading up to age two.
At this age, your little one will run at speed, climb up onto furniture, can walk down the stairs unaided, jump using both feet and go up on their tippy-toes to see something interesting. On outings, they'll likely need a rest in the pram, even a full-on hour of naptime, after a bout of running around and exploring for a while.
These may also be the reason your child wakes up at night, from time to time, even though they are perfectly capable of enjoying a 10-hour stretch of sleep. Reward your child with praise and even a star on their sticker chart when they sleep through the night, or when they behave well on an outing.
Expose them to daily chores and tasks
Toddlers love exploring around the house and in the garden, so make an event of daily chores such as hanging the washing, going to check the postbox or watering the plants. Your toddler will be able to use at least 50 words by now and understands even more; in fact, they'll often ask for what they want by name and will be able to string a few words together, such as “We go shops?” or “Bunny gone!”
Curious little explorers
This is also the stage when you may find your toddler stripping items of their clothing off at will (because they can), and drawing in places other than that colouring book - such as the walls. Be sure to keep the crayons and paints out of reach, except when you or another adult can actively supervise their artwork.
Indulge their curiousity, keen imagination and desire to learn with educational toys such as puzzles, building blocks and shape-sorters, and go on regular visits to the library for colourful age-appropriate books.
There is more than one developmental “normal”
Sister Cindy Homewood, head of the Bowwood Baby Clinic in Cape Town, says children develop at different rates and there are many “normals”.
“Girls’ and boys’ development can be significantly different,” she explains, advising that boys tend to be more physical, with fewer words, and girls more verbal, with more advanced fine motor skills. “But, as long as a child’s gross motor coordination is good – without too much tripping over or stumbling – and they are understanding instructions (i.e. hearing well), all is likely to be well and their development is more than likely on track.”
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