Unit of Bala Mandir Kamaraj Trust
13 to 18 Months
“Look Mom, I’m Walking”!
Parenting Tips!
- Tantrums are almost a rite of passage for toddlers! Don’t reward them!
- Toddlers understand more than they can say, learning new words daily.
- Toddlers self-learn concepts through free play.
WHAT
Around this age, you might notice an increase in tantrums as your child struggles to express their needs and emotions.
WHY
Tantrums are common during this age as toddlers struggle to communicate their needs effectively. They may become frustrated if they cannot express themselves or if their desires are not met immediately.
HOW
Identify tantrum triggers and set clear boundaries. When a tantrum occurs, stay calm, provide comfort, and distract or remove them from the situation. Praise your toddler's efforts to express emotions and recognize their progress in handling feelings.
WHAT
Toddlers achieve significant physical milestones, including standing and walking without support, throwing and kicking a ball, pushing and pulling, and climbing. Their finger skills improve, enabling them to finger feed, pick up objects, and scribble.
WHY
Toddlers have abundant energy and are driven to test their physical abilities. Mastering new skills boosts their self-esteem.
HOW
Encourage your toddler's efforts as they reach new milestones. Provide safe opportunities for outdoor play to foster their physical development.
WHAT
Toddlers like to engage in sensory play, like water or sand activities, which often results in messes.
WHY
Toddlers explore out of a desire to learn. Making a mess is a natural part of the play and learning process. They are tactile learners who need to engage their senses through activities like water play.
HOW
Engage in sensory play with your toddler, interacting and responding to their discoveries. Use strategies to minimise clean-up later like confining messes to specific areas or taking play outdoors.
WHAT
From infancy, play is one of the main ways toddlers learn. They explore different types of play to understand their surroundings.
WHY
Toddlers are beginning to self-learn concepts through play, discovering cause and effect, such as creating sounds by banging on a drum. This is a normal part of learning and development.
HOW
Allow your toddler to play freely, using open-ended toys like building blocks that teach shapes and sizes. Support their play by connecting words to actions, enhancing their cognitive skills.
WHAT
Toddlers understand more words than they can say, learning new ones daily. They may mix a few words with babbling and enjoy reading story or picture books with family members.
WHY
Reading together promotes bonding and develops early literacy skills. Re-reading favourite stories enhances memory and logical thinking by matching pictures with real-life objects.
HOW
Make reading together a regular part of your daily routine. Engage your toddler by reading aloud from books or using your imagination. Use this time to bond and foster a love for reading.
Health & Hygiene
- Vaccinations: Ensure your toddler receives their first booster dose of triple antigen and oral polio drops at eighteen months.
- Growth Monitoring: Continue to monitor and record your toddler’s weight and growth to ensure they are developing healthily.
- Diarrhoea Management: If your toddler has diarrhoea, provide extra fluids frequently. Use boiled and cooled water with a pinch of salt and sugar. Avoid fizzy or sugary drinks.
- Potty Training: Be attentive to your toddler’s signals indicating they need to use the bathroom. Approach accidents calmly and correct them gently without reprimand.
Nutrition
- Self-Feeding: Encourage your toddler to feed themselves, even if it’s messy. This helps develop motor skills and independence.
- Dietary Balance: Continue with soft, well-cooked foods and gradually increase quantities. Ensure a nutritious, well-balanced diet.
- Feeding Approach: Never force-feed your child. Allow them to guide their own eating, as they generally know what and how much they want to eat.
Safety
- Hazard Control: Keep small, sharp objects, household cleaning products, and medicines out of reach.
- Supervision: Always supervise your toddler to protect them from hazards like the kitchen stove or electrical outlets.
- Education: Calmly explain potential dangers to your child without instilling fear, helping them understand safety boundaries.
Special Attention
Consult your doctor if, by 18 months, your toddler shows any of the following signs of possible developmental delay:- Does not attempt to walk independently by 18 months.
- Does not understand simple words or instructions, such as “pick up your toy.”
- Does not display a special relationship with familiar people, such as smiling or reaching for them.
- Does not identify body parts when asked, even with assistance, or does not show interest in activities like brushing teeth or washing hands.
- Does not display separation anxiety when briefly separated from their mother or primary caregiver.
- Shows little curiosity about activities happening around them.
- Does not respond to their name being called or does not make eye contact when interacting.