Early Child Development - Gross Motor Skills - Movement Continues to Develop:
Early Child Development - Early childhood development varies. The developmental milestones below are a general estimate of typical child development. If you have concerns about your child's development, discuss them with your pediatrician.
Your baby can walk well, skip, jump, and run. He may also climb on age-appropriate playground equipment. He can walk up and down stairs with help, and he may do so by stepping onto each step with both feet, taking time to balance himself on each step before going to the next. He can also dance to music and may enjoy singing and movement games such as "The Hokey Pokey."
Early Child Development - Fine Motor Skills - Hand-Eye Coordination Improves:
Your baby's fine motor skills are becoming more precise. He can grasp crayons and may enjoy scribbling. He will begin to hold and drink from a cup and can help dress himself by pulling on clothes. He may need help with fastening clothes, but he is learning to do those tasks for himself.
Early Child Development - Speech, Language Skills are Developing:
Your toddler's expressive language, verbal reasoning, and speech are developing, and he will have a familiar vocabulary of about 50 words. He may speak in short sentences of one to three words. He is learning more words than he can actually say, and he can often point to objects when you say the word for him. He can mimic the sounds of familiar animals. Typically, his nonverbal intelligence will be better developed than his language skills can express.
Early Child Development - Early Child - Cognitive Skills - Thinking Skills Grow:
Developmental Milestones - Your young child is developing thinking skills. He is more aware of himself as an individual. He will identify with his toys and will not want to share them. He will begin to assert his preferences more. He may show frustration when he cannot do what he wants, but on the positive side, he may be easily redirected by interesting alternatives. It can help to offer him choices rather than having to say "no" so much. His problem-solving and memory skills will continue to improve.
Early Child Development - Support Your Baby's Learning:
Your toddler will enjoy toys for pretend play. Toy kitchen, doctor, and farm sets are examples. As you play with your child and go about your daily work, model language for him. Describe, in simple words, what he is doing as he does it. Playing in sand boxes with scoops, measuring cups, and toy dump trucks will develop fine motor muscles and develop early recognition of volume and size. Introduce spoons, forks, and straws for mealtime, and assist your child as needed. As always, safety is important during this period. Always supervise your child.
Age Appropriate Toys for Children - Twelve to Twenty-four Months:
