Kids

Your baby’s milestones from age 16 to 18 months

Between the ages of 16 to 18 months, your baby’s development and understanding increase, with each milestone being an exciting moment.

Each and every milestone your baby takes is an exciting moment worth celebrating. Here’s what important milestones to expect from 16 to 18 months.

Your tot’s physical development

As his walking skills are getting better and now that his arms are free, it becomes possible to pick up and carry an object while he is walking. Being able to walk and stand securely make it possible for him to try to touch objects previously out of reach.

Using their bodies in an energetic and expressive way helps children develop balance, coordination, and strength. Playgrounds, mini climbing frames, and swings will all help your child to develop gross and fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. It is also worth introducing a ball to your child and playing a game of throw, roll, and catch.

Your tot’s cognitive development

Now that your toddler can concentrate for longer, he may get totally absorbed in playing a particular game, which is a developmental milestone for him.

By this stage, your toddler’s development and understanding has increased to the point of carrying out simple requests such as ‘put down the book’ or ‘fetch your shoes’. Your toddler’s developing language may still be limited to one word at a time but is voiced in a different tone to convey different messages.

Your tot’s learning responsibilities

At the end of a play session encourage your child to put his toys back into the box. At this age, it is no more than a game, and will establish a routine for him by looking after things and putting them away after he has used them. This will teach him to care for and value his possessions.

Your tot’s emotional development

Your toddler will begin to recognise what pleases you and what annoys you, and he may try out different behaviours to establish your reaction. This is an extension of learning how he can influence his world and is a way in which he realises how to engage your attention. At this stage, he will try to please you, so it is worth encouraging good behaviour and ignoring other behaviour.

 

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I'm an experienced writer, sub-editor, and media & public relations specialist with a demonstrated history of working in the media industry – across digital, print, TV, and radio. I earned a diploma in Journalism and Print Media from leading institution, Damelin College, with distinctions (Journalism And Print Media, Media Studies, Technical English And Communications, South African Studies, African & International Studies, Technology in Journalism, Journalism II & Practical Journalism). I also hold a qualification in Investigative Journalism from Print Media SA, First Aid Training from St John’s Ambulance, as well as certificates in Learning to Write Marketing Copy, Planning a Career in User Experience, and Writing a Compelling Blog Post.

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