Families For Life | 18-24 Months: Toddler Development
At 18 Months
Runs with a lack of coordination and falls frequently
Walks up stairs while holding on with one hand
Can build a tower of two to four blocks
Can use a spoon and cup with help to feed himself
Imitates scribbling. Can turn two or three pages of a book at a time
Shows affection
Listens to a story or looks at pictures
Can say 10 or more words when asked
Explores environment
Identifies one or more parts of the body
Understands and is able to point to and identify common objects
Imitates domestic activities
Is able to take off some clothing items, such as gloves, hats, and socks
Begins to feel a sense of ownership, identifying people and objects by saying "my"
Attains bowel control
Development – 2 years
Although no two children are exactly alike, distinct development patterns can be observed in your children aged two.
The Trying 2s
Walks alone. Rises without using hands. Able to run. Walks up and down stairs two feet per step. Kicks a ball. Climbs onto and down from furniture unassisted
Builds tower of six cubes. Turns picture book pages one at a time. Scribbles on his or her own. Might use one hand more often than the other
Able to put on simple clothes without help (often better at removing clothes than putting them on). Dry by day.
Able to communicate needs such as thirst, hunger, need to use the restroom
Joins two to three words in sentences. Vocabulary has increased to about 50 - 300 words
Recognizes details in pictures. Knows body parts.
Uses own name to refer to self.
Understand two-step command ("give me the ball and then get your shoes")
Imitates behaviour of others, especially adults and older children
Begins make-believe play
Demonstrates increasing independence
Begins to show defiant behaviour
Negativism: "No, No, No….!" is a very common response for children at this age
Temper Tantrums: Throw temper tantrums when you don’t give them what they want, but get over them very quickly too.
Great Curiosity: They like to explore - test things, taste them, press them and squeeze them.
Possessiveness And Destructiveness: They do not like to share their things and can get rough with toys when asserting their ownership. They also like to investigate everything, so toys should not be easily broken or torn apart.
Tips For Handling 2-Year-Olds:
Two-year-olds are at a stage of exploring the world around them and are trying to master skills on their own. They seek to attain independence and to satisfy their curiosity. Thus, when they are upset, they give vent to outbursts of tantrums and anger.
Try The Following:
Give plenty of opportunity for exploration in their environment. Provide playthings they can touch, press and taste. Equip them with toys that stimulate imagination and promote exploration.
Distract the child when he is frustrated by giving other activities. Or help him if he can't handle a certain task.
Provide durable toys that are not easily broken
Create a game out of the task you would like him to do if the child answers with a "No!"
Contributed by: SingHealth
