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18-month Milestones

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4-HMG-Blogs-May-5.12.142As hard it is to believe, your baby is not a baby anymore. At 18-months, your child is officially a toddler! Congratulations on this milestone and get  ready to keep up with your toddler. Their high energy and language development is going to keep you busy. This is an exciting time for you and your baby as your relationship becomes even stronger.

  1. Cognitive development. Your toddler’s thinking and learning skills are rapidly developing. They can follow simple one-step commands such as sit down and stop.  Your toddler can also point to objects that you name and recognize words.
  1. Social and emotional development. You may start to notice that your 18-month old becomes frustrated easily. They may throw a tantrum or cry when they are not able to do something. Even though your toddler can say some simple words, they are still very limited in the ways that they can use their words, so be patient. Your toddler also needs help learning self-control. It is important for you to remain calm in stressful situations, even if your toddler is not.
  1. Language and communication development. Be careful of what you say!  Every day, your toddler will learn the meaning of new words, even if they can’t say them. They will probably be able to use eight to ten words you can understand on a regular basis. Your toddler may even be able to put two words together to make short sentences. Pointing at objects that they want is a skill that your baby will continue to develop at 18-months.

As your child becomes more mobile, make sure that you give them plenty of space to play and explore. Explain what you are doing throughout the day to your toddler so they can expand their vocabulary. Their greatest learning source is you! If you have questions or concerns, talk to your doctor, dial 2-1-1 for Help Me Grow, or send a text message to 302-231-1464.

 

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