When your child reaches 12 months, she’s now a toddler! Here is a list of some important milestones your toddler should be achieving over the next couple of years.
Throwing and kicking a ball (12 months)
Throwing around the 1st birthday
Kicking around the 2nd birthday
Catching comes around 3 or 4 years old
Pushing and pulling (12 to 18 months)
Dragging and pushing toys along becomes a lot of fun when your child starts walking with confidence.
Squatting (12 to 18 months)
Teach him to bend his knees when squatting, place toys on the floor to encourage them to grab them up.
Climbing (12 to 24 months)
Create safe opportunities for climbing, while securing things like bookcases and tall furniture to the wall. There are lots of fun toddler size play toys that allow them to climb safely.
Running (18 to 24 months)
Potty training (24 to 36 months)
This is something that varies widely, but usually starts happening between 24 and 36 months. Here are a few ways to know if your child might be ready to start potty training:
Tries to take their diaper off when they are soiled
Shows an interest in the bathroom
Talks about pee-pee or poo
Sometimes it helps to buy a small toilet seat for children to help them “fit” on the potty.
Jumping (24 to 36 months)
Psychological and emotional milestones
Prereading (12 to 36 months)
Read with your child. They will learn how a book works, that it tells a story, and the pictures are interesting.
Gaining independence (18 to 36 months)
This is when they want to do it themselves! They want to put on their own clothes, do housework along with you, and use their own fork and spoon. They begin to see themselves as individuals and it’s a parents job to help them learn to do things independently.
Using simple sentences (18 to 24 months)
They start talking in sentences and you can have a semi conversation with them! They still need reminding to use words and will need to know how to say things correctly. Try not to finish their sentences or interrupt them
Learning empathy (24 months)
They start developing their own feelings and recognizing other people’s feelings. Help them understand what is going on by talking with them about their feelings. It is good to reassure them and help them when they are angry, sad, or happy.
Don’t worry if your child seems to be delayed in reaching a milestone. There are late bloomers and some kids just “get it” before others. If you have questions about your child’s development contact The Shandy Clinic for more information.
