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What can my toddler do this month?Your toddler may be walking now, but may still need a helping hand to climb the stairs. Even if your toddler is a confident walker, he will still like pushing large toys around (Sheridan 2008: 28).
The soft furnishings in your living room will be his play area. He'll love scrambling over the sofa and bouncing around on the cushions. Put some music on and he'll jiggle around with you. And speaking of music, your toddler may now sing along with familiar nursery rhymes too (DoE 2010: 8, ICAN 2010, Sheridan 2008: 30).
How well should my todder be able to talk?By 18 months, your toddler may be able to string together a sentence or phrase, probably an instruction to you, such as "Carry me!" (DoE 2010: 8, ICAN 2010). His vocabulary may extend to 20 simple words (Sheridan 2008: 29, ICAN 2007). This will make it easier for him to tell you what he needs or wants.
When you sing a nursery rhyme, he'll attempt to follow the words with you (Sheridan 2008: 30). He will chatter to himself as he plays, which sounds like real speech (DE 2010: 8, Sheridan 2008: 29). Enjoy listening to your toddler as he creates his own little world.
Why does my toddler get upset when I leave him?At 18 months, your toddler may recognise himself in the mirror (Thomson Delmar Learning 2007). He's beginning to realise he's his own person, not just an extension of you.
As a result, he's also learning that you can leave him. However, he doesn't yet grasp the reliability of your coming back, which can make him very upset to see you go. Rest assured it's normal for your toddler to feel this way. It's a sign that he's strongly attached to you.
Nipping out while his back is turned when you leave him at nursery won't help. In fact, it may just make him more afraid that you aren't coming back. Instead, make your goodbye gentle but firm, and explain that you will return to collect him later.
When you leave him to be cared for by someone else, give him something that he often sees you using or wearing, like a soft scarf. The chances are that it will also smell of you, and this will be a comfort to him.
How can I encourage my toddler to be active?Your busy toddler will want to be on the go, so help him to burn off energy where you can (DH 2011, Infant and toddler forum nd). Try leaving the buggy at home for short journeys. You'll need to allow more time, but encourage your toddler to walk instead or take the trike.
All activity, whether it's inside or outside, counts as exercise, including walking, running and dancing. Put on some music and have a dance indoors if the weather's bad outside.
If you've room, you could set up a little obstacle course for him, with cushions to clamber over and boxes to skirt round. You could try having a kickabout with a ball. Your toddler will probably have a good go at kicking a ball, though he won't always be on target.
When your toddler's had enough, cuddle on the sofa and take time out with a story book or a favourite DVD. Do try to keep a limit on your toddler's screen time, though. An hour or two a day is more than enough (DH 2011, Infant and toddler forum nd).
When he's tired, your toddler might have some habits that soothe him, such as twirling his hair, rocking, or sucking his thumb. Most children naturally outgrow these things by the time they're four, so there's no need to intervene now.
Go on to 19 months to see what your toddler may do next!
Go back to 17 months.
ReferencesDepartment of Education. 2010. Information for parents: speech, language and communication needs. Department of Education, Ican, Afasic, Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. www.education.gov.uk [Accessed January 2013]
DH. 2011. Physical activity guidelines for early years (under 5s) – for children who are capable of walking. Department of Health. www.nhs.uk [pdf file, accessed January 2013]
ICAN. 2007. Stages of speech and language development: a guide for early years practitioners. ICAN. www.ican.org.uk [pdf file, accessed January 2013]
ICAN. 2010. My child: 18-24 months. ICAN. www.talkingpoint.org.uk [Accessed January 2013]
Infant and Toddler Forum. Nd. 10 steps to healthy toddlers. www.infantandtoddlerforum.org [Accessed January 2013]
NHS. 2011. Potty training tips. www.nhs.uk [Accessed January 2013]
NHS. nd. Birth to five development timeline. NHS Choices, Birth to five. www.nhs.uk [pdf file, accessed January 2013]
Thomson Delmar Learning. 2007. Denver Development Screening Test. www.academic.cengage.com [pdf file, accessed January 2013]
Sheridan M. 2008. From birth to five years: children's developmental progress. London: Routledge.