A Child 18 Months To Two Years
Growth and Development
Because 18-month to two-year-old children are going thru a period of
slow physical growth, weight gain will not be great.
They are beginning to try to control the world around them - including
you, so they are likely to insist on using a spoon and refuse to be fed.
They usually manage a cup well, holding it with both hands and tilting
it, and spill very little. Sucking is no longer important to the child,
therefore bottle-feeding is unnecessary.
Eighteen-month-old children can move like quicksilver. They like to
carry objects from one place to another and back again. This to-and-fro
movement is much less aimless than it seems. .
How can you discover without exploring? How can you
explore without traveling? How can you find out where you started without
going back? Gessel
Each activity achieved, however small, is a personal triumph; for example,
helping to empty the shopping basket, putting a few groceries away or
drying the spoons and placing them in their drawer.
These youngsters need to do things for themselves. They learn by doing
and looking, not by being told. They are more likely to cooperate if you
give them something interesting to hold and examine, rather than just
telling them to ‘stand still and don’t touch’.
At this age, they see other children as ‘something interesting’,
and will pull, pinch, poke, push and pat them in the same way that they
would handle objects. This may sometimes appear aggressive, but it is just
their normal, energetic, boisterous approach.
In the months ahead they will progress from saying a few words to using
simple sentences. They talk to themselves all the time, experimenting with
tones and rhythms, especially during play.
They may not yet know enough words to hold a conversation, and speech
may not be used although they understand just about everything that is
said. They may grasp your hand to show things, and point to things they
want, accompanying this with urgent noises or a single word.
By responding to their child’s attempts to talk, and guessing at what
they are trying to say, parents can reward their child’s effort and
encourage them to keep trying. Picture books will help language
development. Toddlers can enjoy visits to the library and can be
encouraged to pick books for themselves. At about two, though they
understand what they are asked, they are likely to do the opposite. When
it is time to go home, they are apt to walk the other way. Sometimes you
can persuade them by saying ‘Let’s go to see Teddy or Pussy’, or
whoever is prime favorite at the time. Threatening to leave them is
frightening and makes them very anxious.
They will probably be able to point to, and perhaps name, some parts of
their body, and it’s fun to find these on other people too. They enjoy
simple nursery rhymes and may try to join in by echoing the last words of
each line. If you are singing, they may hum and sway to the rhythm.
As a Social Being
Children at this age usually spend most of their time playing by
themselves. But all the sensations they feel and the observations they
make add to their knowledge of life. They cannot understand yet why things
happen, but nothing that happens escapes their notice.
Socially, they are barely acceptable because they so enjoy ‘getting
into’ everything. Pushing buttons on the TV, emptying baskets and
answering the telephone are all legitimate activities in their eyes. When
they tire, they become less tolerant of interference and a sit-down temper
tantrum is likely. This is quite normal behavior at this age. The unhappy
situation can often be solved by picking them up and diverting their
attention elsewhere.
If some of their things have their own place in each room, this may
help them to understand what is theirs and what is not. With a bit of luck
they may go to their own possessions first and only to other people’s
when the possibilities of their own are exhausted (this is the theory
anyway). They cannot, however, be trusted not to interfere with other
people’s belongings.
Even though their span of attention appears to be short, they are
constantly watching people and how they behave, and learn much more than
we realize. They are becoming interested in household activities, and
enjoy mimicking sweeping or dusting. They are equally able to imitate
other adult behavior that they find interesting. Their imitation of the
angry adult can be very realistic.
Truthfully, they are tiring to live with, and it is very important to
realize that parents need other adults for companionship sometimes. If the
child spends some time with a grandparent or other caregiver, or at a
childcare centre, this time apart can be of value to both child and
parents.
Learning Thru Play
Toddlers’ attention is likely to wander so that they play with many
things in a short while. They want everything NOW, but as time passes,
they may begin to respond to ‘wait a minute’. Many small children
refuse to go to sleep without their favorite toy or blanket. When they
are tired or in trouble, it can be a great comfort. They are beginning to
recognize ownership and will return articles correctly - a bag to mother
or shoes to father.
This beginning of understanding of ownership is very important. They
have to experience ‘owning’ or having something belonging to them
before they are able to share. This applies especially to sharing an adult’s
attention. If they know that each day mother will have a special time for
them alone, they may gradually tolerate interruptions at other times, such
as those that occur when a new baby appears.
Help in tidying their toys may encourage them to understand that
orderliness has value.
If their toys are always returned to the toy box, then that is where
they will be found tomorrow. Of course, this will take time, repeated
encouragement and consistency on your part.
Most toddlers seem to have unlimited stores of energy that can mean
trouble if it is not used in ‘permitted’ directions. A few objects in
the backyard - balls, small cardboard cartons, and a sandbox with some
interesting utensils - will occupy them happily.
Frequent walks - even if you need to use reins in difficult situations
- are enjoyed by both parents and children. Children can be allowed ‘off’
in an open space, such as a park. Just walking round the block can be full
of interest for curious, energetic toddlers. Ball games are always a
favorite and toddlers gradually become more skilled at directing the ball
where they want it to go, such as into a tipped carton. Rolled-up
newspaper held with sticky tape makes a useful ball for fun throwing. You
can give them three or four. With care, these may be used indoors
(wrapping paper on the outside will prevent grubby hands and protect walls
from newsprint).
Hand puppets are great fun, especially furry ones. Adult ‘puppet talk’
will help both language and listening skills to develop.
Playthings such as building blocks, simple wooden jigsaw puzzles,
posting boxes, stacking toys, screw toys and sorting games not only
encourage manipulation skills, but also teach small children to
concentrate, focus attention, understand how things work, and to remember.
With mastery of skills comes a sense of achievement and pride - a
wonderful building block towards self-esteem.
Picture books with simple everyday objects such as animals, household
items, cars, boats and familiar things are fun. They will also encourage
language development, and increase the child’s understanding of the
world. Ask your community nurse for leaflets on play.
Safety
As children grow and develop new skills, hazards increase within the
environment. With the ability to run, climb, open cupboards, twist taps
on, twist lids off and so on, their never-ending curiosity and energy will
lead them continually into potentially dangerous situations.
Often accidents occur when parents are not aware of their child’s
capabilities at that specific stage of development; they are ‘out of
tune’ with their child’s needs, growth and level of understanding.
Periodic discussions with your community child health nurse will help
you to keep pace with, or better still one jump ahead of, your child. Don’t
forget that the fourth Triple Antigen and Hib injections are due at 18
months.
To Keep Your Child Safe
- Always insist that your child remains in an approved child restraint
whenever traveling by car
- Keep medicines and household poisons in a locked cupboard
- Cover power points when they are not in use
- Keep electric cords out of reach
- Supervise outdoor and water play closely
- Keep pot handles turned to the back of the stove
- Place hot foods and drinks out of reach
- Make certain your child’s vaccinations are up to date.
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